Now, operating on the self-righteous assumption that he would've handled the matter differently and that his participation will be the difference between success and failure, Oedipus declares, "It is time I joined your search for vengeance; our country and the god deserve no less" (711). This belief that he completely understands the will of the gods and that he'll further their ends through his own ingenuity shows the drastic contrast between the truth as Oedipus sees it and the truth as proclaimed by the oracle at Delphi. .
The parody of the gods' truth versus Oedipus' truth continues as Oedipus insists that he must have all possible knowledge from any source that will allow him to identify and banish the former king's murderer. For this purpose he summons Tiresias, a prophet of Apollo. Tiresias has god-given insight into the truth, though physically blind, while Oedipus has physical sight but lacks discernment into the reality of the situation. In a quest for understanding, Oedipus fervently pleads: "For god's sake, if you know something, don't turn your back on us! We're on our knees" (717). Tiresias' continued refusal to reveal what he knows infuriates Oedipus, causing him to shift from what he sees as his quest for further knowledge into an anger fueled tirade against one he sees as the puppet of the gods. It never occurs to Oedipus that he could be wrong or that his continued ignorance of the truth could be for his own benefit. In fact, so certain that he's the only one who really knows the truth, Oedipus flaunts his success in defeating the Sphinx in an attempt to needle Tiresias into complying with his request for information. "I used my wits to find the answer. I solved it" (719).
The attempt to protect Oedipus from himself having failed, Tiresias finally gives in to the threats on his life and reveals the identity of the king's murderer to Oedipus.
