TEIRESIAS: I tell you, king, this man, this murderer (whom…
““TEIRESIAS: I tell you, king, this man, this murderer (whom you have long declared you are in search of, indicting him in threatening proclamation as murderer of Laius)- he is here. In name he is a stranger among citizens but soon he will be shown to be a citizen true native Theban, and he'll have no joy of the discovery: blindness for sight and beggary for riches his exchange, he shall go journeying to a foreign country tapping his way before him with a stick. He shall be proved father and brother both to his own children in his house; to her that gave him birth, a son and husband both; a fellow sower in his father's bed with that same father that he murdered. Go within, reckon that out, and if you find me mistaken, say I have no skill in prophecy.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The prophecy predicts a tragic irony where the accused, thought to be a stranger, is actually a native whose fate intertwines with his own family, leading to loss of sight and wealth in exchange for exile and suffering.
In simple terms: A man thought to be a stranger is actually a native whose fate leads to loss and exile.
Key Takeaway
Beware hidden truths that bind you to tragedy.
Themes
tragedy
fate
identity
family
prophecy
Mood
somber
reflective
foreboding
Type
dramatic
mythic
philosophical
When to use this quote
- courtroom accusation
- royal counsel
- family revelation
- exile journey
- blindness and poverty
Key Concepts
Greek tragedy
irony
self‑fulfilling prophecy
Questions to Reflect On
- What hidden ties shape your destiny?
- How do you respond when truth contradicts appearance?
A Different Perspective
The prophecy may be misinterpreted, leading characters to act on false assumptions.