The play starts off with King Oedipus talking with the people of his kingdom who have come to seek his help with the plague that has fallen upon them. The priest who has been chosen to speak for the group asks of Oedipus, “…O mighty King, we turn to you: Find us our safety, find us a remedy…Noblest of men restore life to your city!” (Oedipus the King Prologue 43-46). Oedipus knows it is his obligation as king to help his people so he ensures them he has already sent Creon his brother-in-law to the Oracle at Delphi

Teiresias couldn’t have made it clearer. Oedipus dismisses him as a crazy old man and blames Creon for Teiresias’ claims. Why then, if Oedipus willed by the gods not believe the man who is said to receive his information from them. By rational standards it’s obvious his actions would be the same of any man with such charges brought against him. Therefore Oedipus’ actions can be said to be of human nature and of free will not willed from a divine source.

“Say what you will. Whatever you say is worthless,” Oedipus returns.

to seek out the remedy of the plague. Creon returns to tell Oedipus that Apollo has commanded he take revenge on whoever killed the former King Laios. As any good king should Oedipus promises, “You shall see how I stand by you, as I should, To avenge the city and the city’s god…By avenging the murdered king…” (Oedipus the King Prologue 138-143). With the knowledge of the back story in mind this promise is obviously full of peripity and the first of the instances where Oedipus by his own free will leads himself to his eventual downfall.

Teiresias once again tries to let Oedipus in on the unsightly truth. “I say you live in hideous shame with those most dear to you. You can not see the evil.” He later goes on to add, “This day will give you a father, and break your heart.” (Oedip

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