Alan Howard as Teiresias and Ralph Fiennes as Oedipus (Oedipus 2008)

Alan Howard (Teiresias) and Ralph Fiennes (Oedipus) in Jonathan Kent's 2008 production of Oedipus. Classical sources differ on the details of Teiresias’ transformation into a woman, a blind man, and a prophet but in all versions the transformations are inflicted, not borne of any aptitude or insight. Teiresias endures the typical reversals of classical mythology: for seeing what he should not (Athena bathing naked) he is blinded; consequently he is an ironic and peevish character, not a tragic one.