He knows not only the plague of sickness in the city but the plague of Oedipus as well. .
It is the pride of Oedipus that compels him to search out the truth and bring freedom to the people of Thebes. He does not want to lose the respect or the power his people have given him. Oedipus is a wise character that seems to be too smart for his own good. His own prideful quest for the truth ultimately leads to his demise. .
When Teiresias is hesitant and refuses to speak what he knows Oedipus becomes angry.
"There is no fairer duty than helping those in distress." (C&S Oedipus Scene 1, lines 301-302).
This is a prideful remark made by Oedipus because he believes himself to be the man who will bring the city out of distress as he did once before. Oedipus makes this statement to Tieresias in a proud tone, almost bragging about his own accomplishments. Oedipus sees Tieresias as hard headed and a man with no feeling making reference to his eyes being cold. (C&S Oedipus Scene 1, lines 307-308) This is one of the many references to eyes and sight. Oedipus continues to try and get Teiresias to tell what he knows until Teiresias fights back with the first reference to the truth and Oedipus" own blindness. Oedipus cannot see the nature of his own feelings. (C&S Oedipus Scene 1, line 324) Oedipus then accuses Teiresias of committing the murder himself but than dismisses it on account of Teiresias being blind. (C&S Oedipus Scene 1, lines 332-333) Oedipus dismisses the blind when really it is the true blind man who committed the crime, himself.
The truth is then revealed by Teiresias. Oedipus" pride is what brought him to the truth and when he finally hears it, it is his pride that keeps him from accepting and seeing it. After the truth is revealed there is a battle of words between Oedipus and Teiresias. They mock each other's blindness. Teiresias confronts Oedipus on being blind to his evil ways. (C&S Oedipus Scene 1, lines 352-353) Oedipus replies that Teiresias is sightless, witless and mad.
