His profound understanding of the consequences of knowledge and fate advances his stature in the eyes of the Thebans Fearless Truth-Telling Tiresias fearlessly speaks truth to powerful authority He boldly faces Oedipus This fearlessness is evident when he tells Oedipus I say you are the murderer whom you seek This challenges the king's authority and reveals uncomfortable truths His stubborn commitment to truth earns him admiration and respect Divine Connection Tiresias's blindness symbolizes an alternative way of 'seeing' a sight beyond the physical realm His blindness is paradoxically linked to his insight This indicates a deeper connection to divine knowledge This divine connection is hinted at when he says I even though blind can see the truth The belief in his connection to the Gods and the supernatural realm adds to his respected status among the people of Thebes Despite his physical blindness he is blessed with spiritual insight Tiresias's combination of prophetic accuracy wisdom fearlessness in truth-telling and perceived divine connection increases his respect and influence within the society of Thebes