The prophecy that he wants from Kreon is the answer to a question, “Was it cowardice or foolishness you saw in me that led you to arrange matters as they are?” Oidipous’s tone is meant to be biting sarcasm, for he sees neither cowardice nor foolishness in himself, but if his words can be heard to urge Kreon to serve as a conduit for divine speech, his question would be for the god; he might be heard to be asking Apollo whether he has contrived matters this way because of foolishness or cowardice on Oidipous’s part. This raises a troubling question: just why has the god contrived this unique suffering for Oidipous? Could it be that foolishness and cowardice somehow factor into it? His defeat of the Sphinx appears to demonstrate the opposite qualities: intelligence and fearlessness. If Oidipous has been foolish, it must have been to think that he could escape the destiny prophesied for him at Delphi. If fleeing Delphi was foolish, might it also have been cowardly? Would it have taken more courage to accept (rather than flee) the necessity of performing the terrible deeds foretold by the Pythia? [Md] [Mpe] [Dn]