Teiresias In Sophocles Oedipus The King

In Oedipus the King by Sophocles, Oedipus appears to be a respectful ruler until a wise prophet, Teiresias, tells Oedipus that he is at fault. Oedipus sent out for Teiresias because Oedipus, in this time of need, knew of Teiresias’s wisdom and knowledge. Oedipus showed his need of help and begged Teiresias when he said,“ Teiresias, seer who comprehendest all, Lore of the wise and hidden mysteries, High things of heaven and low things on earth, Thou knowest, through thy blinded eyes see naught, What plague infects our city; and we turn To thee, Oseer, our one defense and shield” (Sophocles 7). Teiresias wished not to tell Oedipus what he knew on what could help Oedipus because Teiresias knew that Oedipus wouldn’t like what he has to say. After Oedipus yearned
I own no lord but Loxias; him I serve And ne’er can stand enrolled as Creon’s man” (Sophocles 9). Which is Teiresias saying he only has one lord and would never work for Creon. But Oedipus leaves Teiresias and goes to Creon. Out of anger and not being level headed or even processing what just happened, Oedipus goes up to Creon and says “Dost thou presume To approach my doors, thou brazen-faced rogue, My murderer and the filcher of my crown” ( Sophocles 11)? Creon pleads to be innocent but Oedipus just replies with “ I would not have thee banished, no, but dead, That men may mark the wages envy reaps” (Sophocles 12). Oedipus wants his own brother-in-law dead because of the little knowledge Teiresias had said. Oedipus the ruler of Thebes turned on his own family like a flip of a switch, when Oedipus was blamed. Either Oedipus used Creon as a scapegoat of just plainly expected he was plotting against him. A proper ruler should only appoint the penalty of death when has the proper