Click the character infographic to download. Teiresias is kind of a cranky old fellow. We can see why. Even though he's blind, he can see better than any of those around him. He's in tune with the mind of Apollo and receives visions of the future. Teiresias is also gifted in the magic art of augury, or telling the future from the behavior of birds. You might think these are pretty awesome skills, but it's probably difficult when everybody around you is doomed to shame, death, or mutilation.
Not to mention, it must be annoying that whenever Teiresias does drop a little knowledge, people don't believe him. Both Jocasta and Oedipus are skeptical of his prophecies. Theseus is the only one who knows the spot at which Oedipus descended to the underworld—a secret he promises Oedipus he will hold forever. Sometimes comically obtuse or fickle, sometimes perceptive, sometimes melodramatic, the Chorus reacts to the events onstage.
Read an in-depth analysis of Chorus. SparkTeach Teacher's Handbook. Themes Motifs Symbols. Characters Character List. Polynices Son of Oedipus, and thus also his brother. Theseus The king of Athens in Oedipus at Colonus.
Chorus Sometimes comically obtuse or fickle, sometimes perceptive, sometimes melodramatic, the Chorus reacts to the events onstage. Next section Oedipus. When Oedipus, almost mad with rage, commands the prophet to get out of his sight, Teiresias leaves, but not before he has delivered another onslaught upon the King.
Teiresias now says that the murderer of Laius is here in Thebes; that the murderer, regarded as a foreigner, is actually a Theban by birth, that the murderer came to the city with eyes that could see but will leave the city with blind eyes, that the murderer is rich now but will be a beggar afterwards, and that the murderer will prove to be both a brother and a father to the children whom he loves, and both the son and the husband of the woman who gave him birth.
Only when Oedipus can prove these predictions to be wrong, will he be justified in calling Teiresias blind. While we certainly admire Teiresias for his foresight and his prophetic gift, we cannot reconcile ourselves to his arrogance, haughtiness, and feeling of self-importance. There is no doubt that Oedipus offends him with his tone of authority and command, but we should have expected a certain amount of moderation in a man who is spiritually so great as to know the minds of the gods and to be able to read the future.
Unfortunately, we find that humility is not one of the virtues of Teiresias. He is as hot-tempered as Oedipus, and equally reckless. No doubt, his refusal to unburden his knowledge is prompted by the best of motives: he would not like to foretell unpleasant facts to Oedipus till the time is ripe for him to discover those facts in the natural course of events.
Teiresias is sensitive to insult, but he is almost merciless in lashing the King with his cutting remarks, and heartless to the point of vindictiveness. Contributes to Dramatic Irony. Furthermore, Teiresias contributes to the tragic irony which is present throughout this play. In this particular scene, tragic irony is provided by the predictions which Teiresias makes.
Teiresias knows the full import of his predictions, while Oedipus is completely ignorant of their significance. For his suffering, his piety, and his devotion to prophetic truth, Tiresias emerges as a powerful — even admirable — character in the Oedipus Trilogy. Previous Theseus. Next Jocasta. Removing book from your Reading List will also remove any bookmarked pages associated with this title.
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