Literal Sense:
* Blindness and Sight: The play revolves around Oedipus's literal blindness to the truth about his past. He is initially blind to the identity of his parents and the crimes he unknowingly committed. Ironically, he is physically sighted but mentally blind. The play's climax sees Oedipus blinding himself, a symbolic act of accepting the truth and its consequences.
* The Oracle's Prophecy: The Oracle of Delphi's prophecy is a powerful symbol of the limitations of sight. Oedipus seeks the oracle's guidance, yet his blindness to the prophecy's meaning leads him directly towards his fate. This highlights how seeing is not always understanding.
* The Chorus's Role: The Chorus acts as a collective "viewer" of the unfolding events. Their choruses, often filled with imagery and metaphors, depict the dramatic shifts in the play's atmosphere. They see and comment on Oedipus's journey from king to outcast.
Metaphorical Sense:
* Truth and Knowledge: Oedipus's blindness to the truth is also a metaphor for human limitations and the struggle to understand our place in the world. The play asks the question: How much truth can we bear, and how much must we remain ignorant of to maintain our sanity?
* Seeing vs. Knowing: The play suggests that true knowledge is often painful and can lead to self-destruction. Oedipus is physically sighted but unable to see the truth about himself, while Tiresias, the blind prophet, possesses the ability to see the truth even though he is physically blind. This underscores the importance of inner vision and spiritual understanding.
* Fate and Free Will: The play explores the themes of fate and free will. Oedipus's blindness to his past and his inability to escape his destiny raises questions about how much control we have over our lives. He is a tragic hero who is both victim and perpetrator of his own fate.
In conclusion, the sense of sight in Oedipus the King serves as a powerful and multifaceted symbol. It explores the limitations of human perception, the struggle to confront truth, the importance of inner vision, and the complex relationship between fate and free will.