In both Oedipus and Wild Duck, sight is a key motif. In Oedipus the King, Sophocles uses it to show the basis of knowledge and acknowledgement in the status quo. Oedipus first is so arrogant and doesn't listen to the blind prophet and others due to their stature. Then as he finds out what he had done, and then at the death of Jocasta, he then turns blind, more like he causes himself to go blind. Oedipus kills his father, and takes the throne, essentially creating a family with his mother. Ultimately, Sophocles uses this chain of relationship breaking events to show how much damage that this man has done to himself, family, and to amplify the measure of horror and atrocity of the crime. Once he does not physically see, he is able to reflect fully on what he has done and who he really was. He lives as a blind man, a person with the least amount of pride, yet, the most prideful character in the self sacrifice that he has endured. In the tragedy, Oedipus falls to nothing more than a blind man, considered the lowest of all the classifications of man, yet inside, is able to bring glory and be the most fulfilled, showing the strength that he has retained internally. He could've taken the easy way out, yet he endures life with eternal suffering.

In Wild Duck, Ibsen constructs a more meaningful character, Hedvig. Ibsen uses her sight to show that even the most innocent one of all can be hurt. In Act II, Hedvig's vision problem is introduced. In these lines, Ibsen writes the source being hereditary. Her mother, in Act IV proclaims herself a 'practical' wife, and then on the other hand, Hjalmar is pathological, in other words, tragic, emotional, pitiful. These two qualities, are complete opposites. Much like the divisions of light that are introduced in the garret. A 'garret' is an attic part of the house. Essentially, Ibsen uses this room to symbolize value. She is one of the most treasured possessions of both Hjalmar and Gina, yet, she is often forgotten and overlooked. An attic is similar in a few instances. It is often a storage unit for hiding precious items, or a room that also stores very important items. The two are tied in the event that Hedvig stays up there. Ibsen extends this metaphor in the scene where Hjalmar is needed for something forgets Hedvig's birthday. Essentially, Ibsen magnifies the importance of the attic. Then he presents the metaphors of light and dark. He contrasts the two types of lighting of moonlight and shadow, to show what Hedvig knows and what the rest of the people see. Ibsen, like Sophocles, uses this valuable person, losing sight, to emphasize what humans often disregard and overlook.