Question

Perhaps you are a king, but I reign too in words. I'll have my equal say. I'm not your servant. No, I serve Apollo. So don't ever mark me down as Creon's myrmidon. I'm blind, you say; you mock at that! I say you see and still are blind-appallingly: Blind to your origins and to a union in your house. Yes, ask yourself where you are from?What portless port this palace and this marriage was you made, scudding in before a lucky breeze? What flood of sorrows-ah! you do not dream---- will pull you down and level off your pride To make it match your children and the creature that you are. Go on them, hurl abuse at everything that I or Creon say. PLEASE EXPLAIN THESE LINES And please tell 3 moods from these lines after explain it. i really need long paragraphs for this.

Answer 1

Tiresias in 'Oedipus Rex' defends his prophetic role and warns Oedipus of his blind ignorance to his true origins and the tragic fate that looms. The moods present in Tiresias's speech are defiance, ominous foreshadowing, and irony centered around the concept of sight and insight.

Step-by-step explanation:

The lines you've quoted are spoken by the character Tiresias in Sophocles' play, Oedipus Rex. Tiresias is effectively telling Oedipus that despite his kingly status, he (Tiresias) serves only Apollo, the god of prophecy, and is not subservient to the king or to Creon's myrmidon. Tiresias attacks Oedipus's ignorance of his own origins and impending doom, suggesting that Oedipus's pride will be leveled to match his true nature, once he discovers the truth about his birth and his incestuous marriage. The soothsayer's words foreshadow the tragic revelations that will destroy Oedipus's status and peace of mind, as he is currently blind to the realities of his circumstances.

Throughout this monologue, there are several moods evoked. First, there is a tone of defiance, as Tiresias asserts his independence from mortal authority. The second mood is ominous, hinting at the tragic destiny that awaits Oedipus due to his ignorance. Lastly, the mood of irony is present, as Tiresias, who is physically blind, accuses Oedipus, who has sight, of being metaphorically blind to the truth.