By trying to prevent and deny his prophecy from soothsayer Teiresias, his actions through his hubris cause him yet again more suffering than intended. In this instance at the encounter with the greatly respected Teiresias, he advises Oedipus that the truth will only lead to destruction and pain, however, no matter how wise and well respected Teiresias is, Oedipus is persistent in knowing the truth, no matter what the truth and his fate might bring. After the persistent badgering and belittling of the highly respected soothsayer, Teiresias speaks the truth to Oedipus against his will knowing what the truth will bring his downfall. "I say that you are the murderer whom you seek . I say you live in hideous shame with those/Most dear to you. You can not see the evil." (pg 20). After Teiresais" words of truth, Oedipus refuses to believe that he is the one who killed the king of Thebes. By refuting the soothsayer's words out of his own ignorance Oedipus moves on to place to blame of the crime on Creon. If only Oedipus had listened to Teiresais" words of wisdom, he would have realized by concerning himself to much with the death of the king and his murderer, he blinds himself to everything else around him, ironically what Oedipus is ignorant to is what he is seeking. Thus far, Oedipus is responsible for his actions that bring about his downfall, although his fate can be blamed on the gods, his suffering is brought upon by his own character, and this is what will ultimately lead to his downfall. .
Throughout the play the truth lies in front of Oedipus yet he fails to recognize its presence. It is clear however, that Oedipus was decreed an unlucky fate to kill his father and marry his mother due to his father and grandfathers crimes and to some extent this can be considered unjust cruelty on the god's behalf. Never the less Oedipus acted freely in many instances ultimately inducing his own punishment proving he must take responsibility for his own actions.
