Argues that Tiresias would be seen as a positive example of blindness, as he possesses special abilities. However, Oedipus seems to view Tiresias negatively, because not only does he not believe him, but he does not treat him with respect. The author also states that in many folktales blindness is used as punishment for crimes such as theft and rape. In many of these folk tales referenced by the author, the perpetrator would be blinded for his crimes. He compares this to Oedipus' actions at the end of the play, even though Oedipus' blindness is self-inflicted. He states that Oedipus enacts his punishment for his actions by blinding himself with Jocasta's pins. Throughout the article the author also compares the different meanings and beliefs about blindness. The author claims that in Greece blindness would have been associated with fear: among the meanings stands out the fear of losing control of one's life and of being at the mercy of the forces of darkness. A powerful driving energy behind many beliefs about blindness is the profound need to make meaning of uncontrollable and unpredictable events” (Wagner-Lampl