This passage echoes his earlier account of lying awake at night worrying, then deciding to send Kreon to Delphi, and measuring the length of his absence to anticipate the time of his return. Oidipous shows himself to be concerned, reasonably accepting every suggestion, and seeking a seer’s guidance. But why the double escort—does Oidipous expect the seer to resist his summons? Does he not think well of the seer? Or does he mean only to make sure that nothing delays the seer’s speediest arrival? The audience will find it ironic, however, that if his efforts succeed, he will learn that he is the source of Thebes’ pollution. This again raises the question: How can a man who thus utterly commits his powers to the common good be the source of the city’s pollution? [Mpe] [Md]