The Enigmatic Riddles of Oedipus and the Sphinx
Why can Oedipus solve the riddle of the Sphinx fairly quickly but cannot solve the riddle of his own existence?
What makes Tiresias unable to solve the riddle of the Sphinx but know who Oedipus "really" is?
What is there about the nature of the riddle ("What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening?") that makes it easier to answer than the riddle of one's own existence?
What does this conundrum say about human existence?
Final answer:
Oedipus is able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx quickly because it is a logical puzzle, while the riddle of his own existence is more complex and existential. Tiresias cannot solve the riddle of the Sphinx but knows who Oedipus really is due to his understanding of human nature and divine knowledge. The riddle of the Sphinx is easier to answer than the riddle of one's own existence because it has a clear answer based on the stages of human life.
Explanation:
Oedipus is able to solve the riddle of the Sphinx fairly quickly because it is a logical puzzle that requires rational thinking and problem-solving skills. The riddle of the Sphinx has a clear and specific answer: a human who walks on four legs as a baby, two legs as an adult, and three legs as an elderly person using a cane. On the other hand, the riddle of his own existence is a much more complex and existential question that cannot be easily answered. It requires self-reflection, introspection, and understanding of one's emotions, experiences, and identity.
Tiresias, as a blind prophet, is unable to solve the riddle of the Sphinx because he lacks the ability to physically see the clues that would lead to the correct answer. However, Tiresias possesses an understanding of human nature, intuition, and divine knowledge, which allows him to see the truth about Oedipus' identity. He knows who Oedipus really is because he can interpret the signs and prophecies surrounding Oedipus' life.
The nature of the riddle, "What walks on four legs in the morning, two in the afternoon and three in the evening?", makes it easier to answer than the riddle of one's own existence because it has a clear and definite answer. The riddle is a metaphor for the stages of human life, and humans are familiar with the physical changes that occur as they age. In contrast, the riddle of one's own existence involves complex and abstract concepts, such as identity, purpose, and meaning, which are subjective and can vary from person to person.
This conundrum highlights the complexity and mystery of human existence. It suggests that while humans may be capable of solving logical puzzles and understanding the physical world around them, they struggle with understanding themselves and their place in the universe. It emphasizes the limitations of human knowledge and the eternal search for meaning and self-understanding.