Teiresias

I like the way the Greek myths are presented; full of mystic power of the Gods, Kings and prophets. Teiresias is a prominent character in Greek mythology, a blind prophet born of the shepherd Everes and the nymph Chariclo. There are lots of myths that include Teiresias in the episodes of oracles and prophecies, for he is the one as the messenger and also predicts the future. One of the plays that we have learnt, Oedipus Rex (King Oedipus) by Sophocles, also has Teiresias as one of the characters who injected the turn in the Oedipus’ fate. Teiresias had known that Oedipus was the murderer of King Laius, previous King of Thebes; and for he was sighted for the prophecy, he did not want to tell King Oedipus of this. After being forced to reveal the truth, Teiresias showed the downfall of Oedipus to the King himself, fulfilling the prophecy.
Teiresias, though never really appealed to be the main character, had been foretold as very wide in knowledge and sight, although he was blind physically. A phrophet of Zeus, Teiresias had participated in the seven generations of Theban. The facts of Teiresias really amaze me; of how he lived and events he had encountered before he becomes the great prophet. One myth is that he was blinded by Athena after he stumbled onto her bathing naked. From this myth, Teiresias was said to gain the ability to understand birdsong, after his mother begged for mercy and Athena sympathized by giving him the ability. Another unique myth is that Teireias was the only human who actually had transformed into a woman after being punished by the goddess Hera after harming the mating snakes. The continuum of the event gifted Teiresias the foresight and seven lives; a gift of pity from Zeus after Teiresias was blinded by Hera, accusing Teiresias of lying. Although it was hurting for him, he had been upheld for his gift.
Teiresias was the only person who had lived the life of man and woman, sighted and blind, therefore he had the vast knowledge and experiences. Although he was given the ability to see the future, Teiresias never directly told his visions, but rather were foretold in riddles, like his prophecy of King Oedipus. This reminds us that although we might see a person as a weakling, he might have things that we are not capable of having and doing. Teiresias can be a good example of a strong character; he does not have any properties in hand, blind and old, but his knowledge is beyond everyone, thus he is very well-respected and not to be offended.