Oedipus is metaphorically referred throughout as the Captain of a ship, or ship of state. The ruler then should not only be in command of the vessel but be responsible for navigating the ship, or state, to safe haven. Oedipus, duty-bound as the ship's Captain, takes freely the leadership role in being accountable in hunting for the one guilty for the pain and suffering of Thebes and its people. Little does he initially realize that he, himself, is this "pollution."
There's only one problem: he's blind. Not literally blind, but figuratively he has no clear vision as to where the guilt truly lies.
To be "blind" (verb) comes from the early 13c Old English--"blendan" meaning "to blind, deprive of sight, deceive." In its original sense it wouldn't mean necessarily sightless but rather confused. And Oedipus is surely that, confused.
Oedipus is a man of intelligence. He was the one 'smart' enough to answer the riddle of the Sphinx, and yet the flaw and weakness of his pride and more accurately, his hubris, provides a "blind" (noun) or a place of concealment that obstructs the light of truth to be sighted. His arrogance blinds him of the stumbling blocks along the way.
This is more than just a blind spot for Oedipus, (even though the audience knows the final revelation of the truth and its tragic repercussions---great example of dramatic irony) his blindness is so entrenched because he's been so filled with pride that there is no room for the truth or wisdom.
What's even more tragic is that Oedipus, because he's been given so much power, is blind to his own fault of hubris. He cannot, at first, see the truth because the truth has not dared to soften his heart.
There is much to be learned from great literature. We all have blind spots, however, reading and appreciating literature can serve as a mirror; a mirror which reflects back our true selves if we have an honest and open heart and a willingness to understand the truth not just about life but about our own selves...flaws and all.
Eventually, Oedipus allows for the truth to sink in and realizes the penalty for his blindness based on his arrogant-driven ignorance, "Me miserable! It seems I have but now proffered myself to a tremendous curse not knowing!"
Truly reflect, absorb what lies in front of you even though it might be painful... for like Henry David Thoreau said: "It's not what you look at that matters, it's what you see."
--Revised post: 10/20116