... us, who now stand before the altars-" (15). In the same passage, the priest characterizes Oedipus as "wise above all other men to read/ Life's riddles" (33-34). By using the words "look" and "read," the priest is associating Oedipus' ability to see with his greatness as a ruler. Therefore, Oedipus' sight, both literal and figurative, demonstrates his competency in life. In Oedipus, sight is a character strength that he uses to his advantage to rule his people. However, both Oedipus and Iocasta are figuratively blind to the truths around them. Oedipus curses the murderer of Lauis, a man he never met, while never considering the identity of the man he himself killed. He professes to "defend [Lauis'] cause/ As if it were my father's" (263-264). The truth that Oedipus fails to see is that he is in fact defending his father's "cause," and that in cursing the murderer, he brings the ...

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