1. Blind Seer: Tiresias is introduced as a blind man who has been granted the ability to see the future as compensation for his lack of physical sight. This blindness represents his superior spiritual vision, which allows him to perceive the truth beyond appearances.
2. Mediator of Fate: Tiresias serves as a mediator between the world of the gods and the human realm. He is privy to the divine knowledge of the gods, but he also maintains a connection to the mortal world.
3. Guardian of Thebes: Tiresias acts as a guardian of Thebes, using his prophetic abilities to guide and protect the city. He is deeply concerned with the well-being of his fellow citizens and is willing to speak uncomfortable truths to prevent disasters.
4. Oedipus' Antagonist: Initially, Tiresias appears to be an antagonist to Oedipus. He resists revealing the truth about Oedipus' origins and past actions, knowing that it will bring great pain to the king and the city. Tiresias' reluctance stems from his awareness of the inevitable consequences and the suffering that Oedipus must face.
5. Catalyst of Events: When Oedipus accuses Tiresias of being involved in a conspiracy against him, Tiresias reveals the truth he has been withholding. This revelation sets in motion a chain of events that leads to Oedipus' downfall.
6. Symbol of Wisdom and Insight: Tiresias represents the importance of wisdom, insight, and self-knowledge in human affairs. His blindness symbolizes the limitations of human understanding and the difficulty of fully grasping the truth.
7. Voice of the Divine: Through Tiresias, the playwright communicates the will and intervention of the gods in human life. Tiresias' prophecies and warnings reflect the supernatural dimension that shapes the narrative and the characters' destinies.
8. Tragic Figure: Tiresias is not immune to the tragedy that befalls Thebes and Oedipus. He too suffers the consequences of his knowledge and his role in revealing the truth.
Tiresias' character embodies the complexities and contradictions of the human condition. He possesses divine knowledge but is also constrained by his blindness and the burden of knowing the future. His presence in the play amplifies the themes of fate, destiny, and the limits of human understanding.