Teiresias Blind Prophet Given wisdom by Apollo Lived seven lifetimes as both woman and man After death he was sole person in Hades to retain gifts of speech and understanding

Teiresias’s Role in Oedipus His blindness reveals the truth Confrontation with Oedipus concerning true “vision” Reveals Oedipus’ hamartia (excess pride/impetuousness) Didactism

Oedipus the Character A man of extremes Proclaims himself “God-like)  Tempts fate Disregards Teiresias due to his “blindness” Does sight = knowledge? Flawed due to hubris (excess pride)

Oedipus and Tiresias: “I know that the vision of our lord Tiresias is most like that of Lord Apollo.” Although blind Tiresias has insight greater than that of a man.

Oedipus and Tiresias “You cannot equal the gods…but we do rate you first of men.” Oedipus is sighted as men are; yet he lacks insight into the truth about himself and his world, as all mortals are likely to lack such insight. Tiresias: “I tell you, you and your loved ones live together, in infamy, you cannot see how far you’ve gone in guilt.” Mutual accusations draw heavily on the image of blindness

Oedipus and Tiresias Oedipus: “You’ve lost your power, stone-blind, stone – deaf, senses, eyes as blind as stone.” Tiresias: “ I pity you, flinging at me the very insults each man here will fling at you soon.” Oedipus: “Blind, lost in the night, endless night that nursed you! You can’t hurt me or anyone else who sees the light – you can never touch me.” Tiresias: “You with your precious eyes you’re blind to the corruption of your life... You mock my blindness, do you? But I say that you, with both your eyes, are blind.”

The “Big” Question What is man? What is the purpose of existence? Man most often questions the nature of existence during a period of flux A violent, changing world Social, political, and philosophical conflict Fear abounds Sophocles is conflicted between Traditionalism (Gods and Myths <Fate>) and Individualism (the new democracy <Free Will>) O Generation of mortal men I add up the total of your lives And find it equals nothing

The Olympians

Zeus King of gods Heaven Storms Thunder Lightning Bolt

Apollo (Phoebus) God of the sun Music Poetry Fine arts Medicine

Hades Brother to Zeus and Poseidon King of the Underworld (Tartarus) Husband of Persphone

Dionysus (Bacchus) God of Wine Partying (Revelry)

Hermes Messenger to the gods Trade Commerce Travelers Thieves & scoundrels

Athena Goddess of wisdom Practical arts War

Artemis Goddess of hunting and the moon.

Demeter Goddess of Harvest Agriculture Fertility Fruitfulness Mom to Persephone

Hera Queen of gods Women Marriage Childbirth

Poseidon Zeus’s brother King of the sea Earthquakes Horses

Ares God of war

Hephaestus God of fire Craftspeople Metalworkers Artisans

Hestia Goddess of Hearth Home Community

Aphrodite Goddess of love and beauty