From Kithairon Oidipous’s thoughts pass to Corinth; he is retracing in reverse the geographic path upon which his life has been mapped out. Oidipous points out that Polybos and Merope were family only in name (λόγωι); through his deeds he has shown that he belongs to Laios and Iokaste. The audience will agree that it is accurate to make a distinction between name and underlying relationships; things are not what they seem to be. It was appropriate, then, to seek a proper understanding of this relationship through consultation at Delphi. To Oidipous, however, the Oracle’s response seemed evasive, but the audience can see now that, had he persevered in his quest for clarity, Delphi would have helped him. He failed properly to understand that the Pythia was in fact answering his questions and providing information as well that he did not know to ask for. [Mipd] [Mpei]