Had Teiresias Learnt His Lesson?

“The truth sustains me.”

“There is power in truth.”

In previous post, I have discussed about the moral of the stories regarding the cause of Teiresias’ blindness and also analyzed his flaws. For this post, we will see whether Teiresias had learnt his lesson, especially in his imprudence of speech, and became wiser.

Teiresias has appeared in lots of Greek plays as the soothsayer. However, since Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex is the only Greek play I have read, I will analyse the characteristics of Teiresias only in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex.

The first impression I had about Teiresias in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex was he is a wise old seer. His wisdom is shown in a scene, where he was speaking to the mighty king, Oedipus. Instead of telling the truth that Oedipus the King is the defilement whom he seek and the murderer who killed King Laius (his own father), Teiresias chooses to keep his silence. Oedipus begs him to reveal the truth – “To your native country. Do not refuse to speak.” (Line 108) However, Teiresias replies, “When it comes to speech, your own is neither temperate nor opportune. I wish to be more prudent.” (Line 109 to Line 110)

• Note: The word “opportune” is implying that it is not the right time to reveal the truth. As for the term “prudent”, Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary defines it as “sensible and careful when you make judgments and decisions; avoiding unnecessary risk.”

Besides, even Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia has also compared his prudence in speech with other Greek plays, “Like most oracles, he is generally extremely reluctant to offer the whole of what he sees in his visions.” Apparently, Teiresias had learnt his lesson and will only reveal the truth or part of the truth when the right time has come. Thus, Teiresias is often used in Greek plays to create suspense.

Nevertheless, in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex, King Oedipus has managed to provoke him to tell the truth. Teiresias is quoted saying to Oedipus in front of his citizen, “You yourself are the pollution of this country.” (Line 135) That is as direct as calling a spade a spade!

Now, I’m wondering again. Teiresias had learnt his lesson, hadn’t he? Or had he?