In hesitating to lay hands upon Oidipous and in deferring immediately to Kreon, to whose authority Thebes appears already to have transferred its submission, the Chorus seems to display some wisdom. In viewing Kreon as the state’s lone guardian, however, it seems again to err, for surely Apollo has displayed a keen interest in this state’s well-being even as he has subjected it to his sanction in the form of plague, for it is thanks to the god’s efforts, which include the plague, that Oidipous’s polluting influence has been identified. Guardianship of the state is no simple matter; appropriate mortal authority is determined in accord with the god, who should be recognized as the state’s most powerful guardian. [Mpei] [Ad] [Mp] [Ap]