When he refers to the object of his thoughts as “the man . . . this one . . . whooever,” it is as if Oidipous were stabbing in the dark, trying to wound an unseen opponent. Nevertheless, every thrust strikes home despite being directed outwards at others rather than inwards at himself. He does not yet feel the cuts because he speaks without comprehension. He is not alone in directing his own speech and action; the gods are actively engaged, overriding both speech and action to obtain a result of which he is ignorant, to which he is blind. [Apcmu] [Apamu] [Mpei]