y and fear. He refuses to divulge the answer to the question because he worries that the knowledge could bring more harm then good. Oedipus, at first, pleads with Teiresias to realize the information and then begins to threaten him. Eventually, Teiresias explains that Oedipus is guilty of the crime, and that Oedipus is the answer to the question. Oedipus, now outraged, accuses Teiresias of plotting against Oedipus at the same time; he places this same charge on Creon. Creon returns and an argument commence between these two men. Creon is confused because he has always been a supporter of Oedipus and has never had aspirations to overthrow Oedipus. Oedipus is blind to rational thinking and proceeds to make unfounded accusations.Jocasta enters and breaks up the argument. She comforts Oedipus by suggesting that Teiresias is wrong and that humans have no place in prophecy. As they are talking, a messenger comes to tell Oedipus that his father is dead. This messenger also tells how Oedipus is not a son of Polybus by blood. The herdsman that had been sent for to be questioned about the death of Laius enters. Through the discussion of these men, it becomes apparent that Oedipus was most likely the son of Jocasta and Laius and that he is indeed the poison that has been plaguing the land.All leave except the Chorus. A messenger arrives to tell the Chorus about Jocasta and Oedipus's reaction. Jocasta had returned to her home and cursed the bed upon which she had slept with both Oedipus and Laius. She then hung herself. Oedipus returned. Finding Jocasta hung, he cut her down and removed the broaches from her dress and thrust them into his eyes.The play ends with Oedipus asking that Creon take care of his daughters and Thebes. Oedipus feels great shame. He has blinded himself because he does not want to see his father and mother in the after world. With this shame he leaves Thebes to wander the world.The "past" story is places in...
