Final answer:
Upon seeing Jocasta has hung herself, Oedipus blinds himself with the pins from her dress, symbolizing his recognition of his ignorance and fulfilling the prophecy that he would become blind to the truth.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Oedipus discovers the truth about his identity and his actions - that he has killed his father and married his mother - it leads to a tragic resolution in the play. After the shepherd confirms the story, Oedipus is left in a state of extreme distress. Upon finding Jocasta has hung herself, in a state of horror and self-punishment, Oedipus reacts by taking gold pins from her dress and blinding himself, fulfilling the prophecy of Tiresias that he would be blind to the truth until it was too late. This act represents his realization of his ignorance and his desire to no longer see the world, as well as the symbolic truth that he had been metaphorically blind to the realities of his life. He is then led away from Thebes, as he can no longer be king after such defilements.
The actions of Oedipus and Jocasta occur offstage, as graphic violence was not portrayed directly to the audience in Greek theatre. Instead, these acts are reported by characters who have witnessed the outcomes, in line with the traditions of Greek tragedy. The impact of these events is still felt powerfully by the audience through the vivid descriptions and reactions of the characters on stage.