Oidipous addresses Teiresias in language reminiscent of that initially used by the priest when he addressed Oidipous as one who acquires knowledge without instruction (l. 38). Based on Oidipous’s success with the Sphinx, that faith seemed not without foundation, but the present situation reveals that Oidipous is in fact no seer. The first prophetic instruction he received resulted in the commission of atrocities: killing father and marrying mother. Currently instructed to find Laios’ killer, he is expected to succeed, but not due to any insight he possesses. Indeed, if anything he remains incapable of making the connections that would yield valuable insights. Given the town’s unreserved admiration for his ability to recognize obscure relationships, it is also appropriate for Thebes to solicit the knowledge that a competent seer might provide. [Mp] [Mi] [Mg]