The phrase “the city that gave you birth” (πόλει τῇδ᾽, ἥ σ᾽ ἔθρεψε) is suggestive of Delphi’s reference to the source of Thebes’ pollution (ὡς τεθραμμένον χθονὶ ἐν τῇδ᾽, l. 97). Thus, where Oidipous is talking about Teiresias place of birth and his obligation to it, the audience will recall that what he says applies to himself. His argument is that Teiresias should put loyalty to city above all, which would include the care he must take in revealing the god’s plan to mortals. The double entendre in his speech suggests that he is speaking as would a prophet–as would the very prophet whom he is presently upbraiding for the coyness of his language. The god, meanwhile, seems to be demonstrating that he can speak through any man; Teiresias is in this regard no more “gifted” than Oidipous. [Gd] [Apcma] [Apcmu] [Mei]