Oidipous exclaims that, hearing Iokaste’s words, his mind has wandered, his spirit stirred. This is the kind of sign the audience has been watching for, especially since Iokaste’s recitation of prophecies that so astoundingly complement the one that has shaped his adult life. Clearly, however, Oidipous has not yet come to the realization; his thoughts are only just beginning to wander. His expression (ψυχῆς πλάνημα κἀνακίνησις φρενῶν) recalls his earlier statement (πολλὰς δ’ ὁδοῦς ἐλθόντα φροντίδος πλάνοις; l. 67) relating how, in response to the catastrophic plague infesting Thebes, he had lain awake, his mind wandering many paths and arriving eventually at the idea of sending an embassy to Delphi. Now it is Iokaste’s argument against the validity of seers and oracles that has set his mind wandering. The audience must have known of another instance of his wandering: learning from the Oracle at Delphi that he must kill his father and marry his mother he set off on a physical journey that took him eventually to Thebes. Now the mention of consultation has set him wandering once more—this time towards abasement and ignominy. Consistent throughout: the wandering; inconsistent throughout: the orientation towards or away from prophecy. [Mpei] [Md] [Mi]