Taking the role of a trial judge, Oidipous instructs the witness not to berate his interrogator, and he expresses the judgment that the Theban’s words merit reproach more than the Corinthian’s. This comment will prompt the audience to attempt to render its own judgment. Whereas the Corinthian is working to bring out the truth for both personal and civic gain, the Theban is working to repress the truth in order to protect himself and Oidipous from reproof and shame. The Theban’s silence has until now suited the god but may no longer do so, for the Corinthian’s arrival clearly furthers the god’s project, and his primary role may be to induce the herdsman to speak. Acting as judge, Oidipous prepares the ground for introduction of the evidence that will condemn him. The legal procedure is being made to serve Apollo’s needs: there is a bigger picture, a larger and more significant truth, and a level of justice of which the civic court is unaware. [Mg] [Mpei] [Aj] This again seems to indict Athenian juridical procedure by showing its limitations. [Gt-a] To overcome these, the civic court must view itself in relation to the higher court of divine judgment. [Dnc]