Firstly, Oedipus can be seen as blind because of his fatal flaw that is arrogance or “hubris.” It is clear very early on that Oedipus has a pride in his own ability and his power that, as the play progresses, overleaps itself. He seems to place himself almost on the same level as Apollo and the gods, which can be seen as one reason why the gods would want to see him fall, and why Apollo’s oracle would reveal such a distressing future for the son of Laius and Jocasta. King Oedipus, “whose name is known afar” will alone be the one to solve the puzzle of the “pestilence” and find and bring Laius’ killer to justice. Did he not solve a riddle once before? Such declarations and impetuous actions as shown by Oedipus are not wise characteristics to have. This shows that Oedipus’s vision in relation to his actions is blurred – his judgment has been obnubilated perhaps by his haste to reach answers (that will eventually destroy him) or because he is dazzled by his perception of his past triumph. Whatever the reason, the audience is acutely aware of the fate of those with obstinate arrogance and pride.
On top of this there is, in Oedipus, a kind of blind ardor to uncover the truth. Oedipus does not embark on this quest to find the killer for anyone but himself: he believes that “the killer of Laius, whoever he was, might think to turn his hand against him” and for this reason decides to push on relentlessly - he believes that “thus, by serving Laius, he serves himself.” He does not wait to contemplate the possible chain reaction that swift, un-thought-out action could ignite, but “stands not idle” and jumps ahead of everyone else: “One thing I have already done – the only thing that offered hope.” Oedipus tries always to be two steps ahead - he is blind in his reckless and headlong pursuit for another chance to prove his greatness. This is shown even more clearly by Oedipus’ persistence to the bitter end: “However vile, however base it base it be, I must unlock the secret of my birth.” When it is clear to Jocasta and she begs him to desist (“No, in the name of the gods, this quest must not go on… I am warning you for your own good.”), Oedipus blunders blindly on into the final despair: he “cannot leave the truth unknown” but “will know who he is.” He wants too much to be able to prove himself again as the “child of fortune” and “the giver of good” that he is unable to see, even when it has become so clear to all others, that no good can come from the completion of his quest.
In my opinion, most significant of all is the contrast between the literal blindness of Teiresias and the figurative blindness of Oedipus, which is made clear throughout the course of the scene in which Teiresias is interrogated. During Oedipus’ blind mistreatment of a respected and revered mouth of the gods, the truth is stated often and at length, yet Oedipus, who “has eyes,” cannot “see his own damnation.” Teiresias may have no eyes with which to see light, yet he sees further and deeper than any other character in the play through his knowledge of the truth, granted by the Apollo. In this scene, Oedipus’s arrogance becomes even clearer than before: “Living in perpetual night, you cannot harm me.” “No, it is not for me to bring you down – that is in Apollo’s hands and he will do it.” Oedipus can see the blind man in front of him but no further – he is blind to the clear fate that awaits him. Teiresias even states that he “is the cursed polluter of the land.” A shocking fate awaits him. The killer of Laius will indeed “turn his hand against him.” The stick that the Teiresias used to enter the city is, metaphorically speaking, the same stick that Oedipus will use when he is banished: “beggar, stick in hand, groping his way to a land of exile.”
Thus, the blindness of Oedipus prevents him from escaping his fate. The fatal flaws of impetuousness and arrogance that will ultimately destroy him are made clear by his hotheaded actions and words. Secondly, he follows his quest for the truth of his birth without regard for what may come if the truth were known and even when his fate has been spelt out, he continues to the bitter end. Finally, the contrast between Oedipus and Teiresias is the way in which Sophocles emphasises the blindness of Oedipus.
