Why should it be the god’s concern to carry out things such as Oidipous’s destruction? It is easier to understand why it was necessary to take Laios down, for the god once having prohibited intercourse between Laios and Iokaste and having threatened Laios’ death at his son’s hands if he did not obey, it was his concern to make good on his word; otherwise, prophecy in his name would be meaningless. For the same reason, Apollo must fulfill his prophetic word forecasting Oidipous’s killing his father and marrying his mother. The parallel between Laios and Oidipous in relation to prophecy and its fulfillment suggests either that the god should have instructed Oidipous to do or forego doing something, with consequences for disobedience. Otherwise, Apollo is unjust. The audience now has every reason to look for a justification for Oidipous’s fate. [Aj]