In speaking to Oidipous “in the gods’ name” and proposing that he respect Kreon’s “holy oath,” Iokaste appeals to piety as a mechanism for conflict resolution. This suggests that trust and persuasion presume a shared respect for the gods. Absent this respect, there may be nothing standing in the way of a complete abruption in interpersonal, and thus civic, relationships. In her view (at least at this moment), piety is indispensible, and calling her husband to make a commitment to it will either wring a concession from him or force him openly to reject piety as a basis for conflict resolution. This prompts the audience to make up its own mind on this issue. [P]