Apparently attributing to Apollo the action of smiting (“[He] smote”), the audience might suppose that Oidipous is at last recognizing Apollo’s hand in the complex arrangements by which Apollo has inflicted suffering on him. [Apa] He seems to see now that a god is capable of practical and even direct physical intervention in the mortal domain. [D] Since this is a possibility vociferously denied by some Athenians, it must be disappointing and perhaps even chastening to see Oidipous, one whom they would have counted among their number, now persuaded of the god’s power to effect material change. [Mpea] [Gt-a]