Step-by-step explanation:
One motif that is prevalent in Sophocles' "Oedipus the King" is the theme of blindness. Both literal and metaphorical blindness are used throughout the play to symbolize various aspects of the characters' lives and the overall themes of the play.
The most obvious example of blindness in the play is the physical blindness of Oedipus at the end of the play. After discovering the truth about his past and his involvement in the murder of his father and marriage to his mother, Oedipus blinds himself in a fit of despair and horror. This literal blindness serves as a punishment for his actions and serves to symbolize his newfound understanding of the truth, as well as his inability to face the reality of his situation.
Metaphorical blindness is also present in the play, particularly in the character of Tiresias, the blind prophet. Tiresias is able to see the truth about Oedipus and his fate, but is ignored and dismissed by Oedipus until it is too late. This blindness on Oedipus's part is a symbol of his arrogance and stubbornness, as well as his unwillingness to accept the truth when it is presented to him.
The motif of blindness relates to the major themes of the play in several ways. It serves as a symbol for the characters' inability to see the truth or face reality, as well as their refusal to acknowledge their own flaws and mistakes. It also serves to highlight the consequences of these shortcomings, as seen in Oedipus's tragic downfall and his eventual acceptance of the truth. Overall, the motif of blindness in "Oedipus the King" serves as a powerful symbol for the play's themes of truth, fate, and the consequences of human actions.