The Chorus seems to want to express its sympathy for the extent of Oidipous’s misfortunes, but it is unclear to what pains it is referring: those that Oidipous is experiencing or those he has caused? Those that he caused himself or those he hs caused others? Whom does the Chorus hold responsible for Thebes’ pains? The audience will judge that Oidipous ought indeed to grieve doubly (διπλᾶ . . . πενθεῖν), for he has both injured his fellow mortals and transgressed against the god. Saying further that Oidipous must “think on double ills” should mean that his suffering should bring about a new attitude and a new approach. It is possible, however, that the Chorus is only acknowledging and sympathizing with the fact that Oidipous is both experiencing pain and expressing it. If so, like Oidipous it is failing to take responsibility for its own impiety. Like him it may be able to comment on the pains he is suffering without learning anything from them. To the extent that they welcomed Oidipous to the stage rather than awaiting the dubious arrival of the god himself, the citizenry of both Thebes and Athens have shared in Oidipous’s impiety. [Gt-a] [P] They can therefore expect to suffer whatever he suffers. [Mw] The god has justly wrought a plague on both cities. [Aj] [Apaon] If now they fail to see this, then like Oidipous they will require the application of new pains. Thus, the cycle of pain and error continue. For Thebes myth has foretold the city’s continued suffering into the next generation. [Gm] Athens’ future suffering has been foretold by Delphic prophecy. [Mip] Responsibility for breaking these cycles of transgression and suffering lies with both parties, gods and mortals. The gods must communicate to men the action (or forebearance) in which necessity demands participation. Mortals must seek divine instruction and scrupulously observe what they are instructed to do. The mechanism for this exchange is located at Delphi, where success in breaking the cycle of impiety and punishment rests upon the quality of communication between the Pythia and her petitioner. [Dnc] [Dnp]