Iokaste’s speech (though not Iokaste herself) recognizes that the new arrival speaks and delivers “signs” for the god. This was the very word that Iokaste spoke earlier when she was making her argument that she would present evidence that prophecy can safely be ignored. Now the god himself can be heard to announce the delivery of evidence, presumably that it is never safe to ignore prophecy. The new arrival appears itself to be a sign of Apollo’s power to carry out his own project; he dispatched this “messenger” to play a role in the performance that he is orchestrating in both Thebes and in Athens. [Gd] [Apcmu] [Apa] [Mpea]