But while Oedipus finds great comfort in the fact that one-half of the prophecy has been disproved, he still fears the other half-the half that claimed he would sleep with his mother. He now feels much more inclined to agree with the queen in deeming prophecies worthless and viewing chance as the principle governing the world. At Jocasta's summons, Oedipus comes outside, hears the news, and rejoices with her. Jocasta rejoices, convinced that Polybus's death from natural causes has disproved the prophecy that Oedipus would murder his father. Outside the palace, a messenger approaches Jocasta and tells her that he has come from Corinth to inform Oedipus that his father, Polybus, is dead, and that Corinth has asked Oedipus to come and rule there in his place. Oedipus sends for the man who survived the attack, a shepherd, in the hope that he will not be identified as the murderer. This skirmish occurred at the very crossroads where Laius was killed. It was then, on the journey that would take him to Thebes, that Oedipus was confronted and harassed by a group of travelers, whom he killed in self-defense. Hearing this, Oedipus fled his home, never to return. He therefore traveled to the Oracle of Delphi, who did not answer him but did tell him he would murder his father and sleep with his mother. He tells Jocasta that, long ago, when he was the prince of Corinth, he overheard someone mention at a banquet that he was not really the son of the king and queen. Oedipus, stunned, tells his wife that he may be the one who murdered Laius. Jocasta tells him that Laius was killed at a three-way crossroads, just before Oedipus arrived in Thebes. Her description of Laius's murder, however, sounds familiar to Oedipus, and he asks further questions. As proof, she notes that the Delphic oracle once told Laius he would be murdered by his son, when in fact his son was cast out of Thebes as a baby, and Laius was murdered by a band of thieves. Oedipus explains to Jocasta that the prophet has charged him with Laius's murder, and Jocasta replies that all prophecies are false. Oedipus's wife, Jocasta (also the widow of King Laius), enters and asks why the men shout at one another. Then, before leaving the stage, Tiresias puts forth one last riddle, saying that the murderer of Laius will turn out to be both father and brother to his own children, and the son of his own wife.Īfter Tiresias leaves, Oedipus threatens Creon with death or exile for conspiring with the prophet. At this mention of his parents, Oedipus, who grew up in the distant city of Corinth, asks how Tiresias knew his parents. Tiresias defends his skills as a prophet, noting that Oedipus's parents found him trustworthy. Oedipus brags that he alone was able to solve the puzzle. At that time, a Sphinx held the city captive and refused to leave until someone answered her riddle. He asks why Tiresias did nothing when Thebes suffered under a plague once before. He accuses Creon and Tiresias of conspiring against his life, and charges Tiresias with insanity. Oedipus naturally refuses to believe Tiresias's accusation. These taunts provoke Tiresias into revealing that Oedipus himself is the murderer. Oedipus curses and insults the old man, going so far as to accuse him of the murder. At first he refuses to tell Oedipus what he knows. Tiresias responds cryptically, lamenting his ability to see the truth when the truth brings nothing but pain. Oedipus sends for Tiresias, the blind prophet, and asks him what he knows about the murder. Oedipus promises to solve the mystery of Laius's death, vowing to curse and drive out the murderer. Only one of his fellow travelers escaped alive. Oedipus questions Creon about the murder of Laius, who was killed by thieves on his way to consult an oracle. Creon returns with a message from the Oracle: the plague will end when the murderer of Laius, former king of Thebes, is caught and expelled the murderer is within the city.
Oedipus replies that he already sent his brother-in-law, Creon, to the Oracle at Delphi to learn how to help the city. The citizens gather outside the palace of their king, Oedipus, asking him to take action.
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