That Apollo is the active author of her present woes and even her present words is underscored by her unwitting comment that he, of all gods, is “very close.” She may mean that his altar stands near the palace, that the plague may be presumed to stem from him, or that his Oracle has directed the investigation that has led Oidipous to the discovery that he may be responsible for polluting Thebes by killing Laios, taking his place, and so enjoying ill-gotten gains. In addition to all these ways in which she may infer Apollo’s nearness, the audience has developed the additional insight that while Apollo has not appeared directly, his influence has been permeating the theater. It hs been expressing itself in the characters’ words and deeds, both on stage and off, until it has begun to make itself dimly felt even to those like Oidipous and Iokaste who have been most closed off to it. The audience will recognize that her decision now to summon Apollo’s aid is altogether out of place and time, for her refusal to heed his prophecies has long since summoned him, not to her aid but to her destruction. [Gd] [Apc] [Apa] [Aj] [Mw]