A messenger from Corinth arrived at the castle. He speaks of the death of Polybus. Jocasta immediately exclaimed that that was wonderful news. This means the prophecy was incorrect and Oedipus was safe. Oedipus rejoices but is still worried about the second part of his prophecy. There is no way he wants to sleep with his mother. The messenger tells Oedipus that he need not worry for Polybus and Merope are not his true parents. He explains that he found Oedipus on Mount Cithaeron with his legs pinned. He gave Oedipus his name (Oedipus means swollen ankles) and he still walks with the limp he had as an infant. Oedipus asked the messenger who left him in the woods alone. The messenger stated that he received Oedipus from another shepherd. Oedipus decides he wants to find his parents so that he can know the true identity of his birth. Jocasta jumps up and tells him not to. There is no reason to know and she tells him to abandon his search. Oedipus throws aside Jocasta's concern as a snobbish fear that he may not have actually been of noble birth and insists on finding the shepherd. Jocasta flees back inside the castle upset.
We now know that Oedipus is arrogant and hard headed. We also know that he isn't of noble birth. It's comment time. Feel free to ask your own questions this time and to express your opinions. Is Oedipus and arrogant jerk?
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