51-53


 * Summary** **p. 51-53**

In this passage, the Messenger from Corinth has just arrived to bring Oedipus news of Polybus's death. Upon hearing Polybus's death was caused by old age and sickness, Oedipus is greatly relieved. He has already shared the prophecy with his wife, Jocasta, and arrogantly announces the prophecy is wrong. He did not kill his father (whom Oedipus still believes is Polybus), but he is still afraid of bedding his mother, whom he believes to be Merope. Jocasta, at this point, also believes Merope and her deceased husband are Oedipus's true parents, and therefore comforts Oedipus of his fear. She tells him every man will have dreams of sleeping with his mother, so his fear is only natural. Oedipus, though, is not entirely convinced.

Overhearing the conversation, the Messenger from Corinth asks what worries Oedipus. Oedipus informs the Messenger of the oracle, and confesses he refuses to return to Corinth in fear of full-filling the oracle. Once the Messenger understands Oedipus's reasons, he hints that Oedipus has nothing to fear, but has yet to reveal his reasons.


 * Analysis**

The passage builds suspense and includes multiple instances of irony to further develop the plot. Once Oedipus learns of his supposed father's death, he arrogantly convinces himself he has escaped the edict of a god, as he triumphantly announces to Jocasta "Ha! Ha! O dear Jocasta, why should one / look to the Pythian hearth? Why should one look / to the birds screaming overhead?" (963-965). This is ironic considering Oedipus had unknowingly fulfilled the prophecy, yet it also adds to the theme of the drama, the limitation of freewill. Sophocles writes to advocate the power of the gods and in the this drama the gods have power. Many attempts had been made to escape what was prophesied by the gods, but no mortal had ever been successful in such an attempt. The gods could manipulate people into making decisions they had no idea they were making, which is the case with Oedipus.

The rest of Oedipus's exclamation is very ironic. He continues to say:

//"They prophesied that I should kill my father! But he's dead, and hidden deep in earth, and I stand here who never laid a hand on spear against him,-- unless perhaps he died of longing for me,a and thus I am his murderer."// (965-970)

Oedipus, at a crossroad, was provoked by his father. He combated his father and killed him along with everyone else in the party minus one, and thus he was his father's murderer. Oedipus ends his thoughts by outright insulting the gods, "He's taken them / away with him, / they're dead as he himself is, and worthless." (971-972). No one insults the gods without facing the consequences, the wrath of their anger, so Oedipus's words were spoken through rash thought and arrogance.

Jocasta, who is already convinced of the error or the gods hopes to relieve Oedipus of his fear of bedding his mother. Oedipus, though, is still unconvinced and replies: "All trhat you say would be said perfectly / if she were dead; but since she lives I must / still fear, although you talk to well, Jocasta." (983-985) Oedipus is right to worry, but ironically he is worrying about the wrong woman, for Merope is not his mother. His ignorance is emphasized when he ironically states "but yet it's sweet to see the face of parents." (999). Oedipus's oblivious meetings of his parents have only brought misfortune, which is quite the opposite of his comment. This once again emphases the theme of limited free will. Oedipus is being manipulated by the limited information he has received from the gods, and the limited amount of information he knows about himself. Although he thinks he is taking precautions to avoid a meeting with his mother to avoid the prophecy, he has being played by the gods, for their will shall be fulfilled.

Furthermore, once the Messenger questions Oedipus's reluctance to return to Corinth Oedipus explains: "Old man, I did not wish to kill my father." (1001). Truly, Oedipus does not wish to murder his father, yet without his knowledge he already has. The comment is very ironically, but even more so when Oedipus says "Yes, I'm afraid that Phoebus may prove right." (1011) for the prophecy is right.

The passage ends in suspense; Oedipus awaits the reason he should discard his fear and return to Corinth.