The question, “Am I not, then, utterly unclean?” reflects the development of Oidipous’s awareness that he has become a carrier of the pollution that is wreaking havoc with the town. His wording, however, offers the audience something more to consider, because ἄναγνος, by which he means “unclean” or “polluted,” literally means, “lacking religious awe.” He may therefore be heard to ask; “Am I not utterly lacking in religious awe?” [Gd] If the answer to this unintended question should be “yes,” then Oidipous’s speech would indicate to the audience that his lack of awe makes him utterly responsible for the pollution; it begins to explain how all the terrible events, including those of which he is already aware and those yet to be discovered, are consequent upon him. [Aj] And yet the answer to that question cannot be an unqualified “yes,” for he is now assiduously serving as the god’s ally in the pursuit of Laios’ killer and he seems always to have felt the deepest dread at the thought of killing father and marrying mother. The riddle confronting the audience remains; if it cannot be solved, the audience is doomed to perpetuate the pollution. [Mpea] [P] [Mw]