If by “those in power” the choral leader means Oidipous, his claim not to see what Oidipous does is obviously false, for while he can with justification claim not to understand his motives, he cannot with any right pretend not to be able to observe his public actions, including his speech acts. The choral leader thus shows himself to be impermissibly eager to refuse responsibility for the actions of the town’s ruler. When the wellbeing of the entire country is at stake, how can the populace, regardless of its relationship to those in power, decline to decide for itself what must be done? The answer to this question is suggested by a possible double entendre in the speaker’s words, for “those in power” might be taken as a reference to the gods, who have been demonstrating the extent of their power even as the characters speak. Of this demonstration the Chorus is clearly unaware, and yet its incapacity in this regard is shameful, because for whom, if not for the townsfolk, are the gods making a display of their power? The Chorus has heard both what Delphi and Teiresias have had to say said. Clearly it must be able to appreciate the connection between the two and so to focus its attention on Oidipous. For failing—even refusing—to do this, the townspeople can and should be held accountable, not merely by the audience, but especially by the god who seems to be at pains to communicate with the townspeople. Indeed, if the plague is any indication, they are already being held to account for their self-inflicted deafness to prophecy. [Md] [Mi] [Mw] [Aj]