1 Sophocles' Oedipus Tyrannus Introduced and Translated by ...

The next day I went to my father and mother
and they were furious at the drunken lout.
Although their reaction in some measure placated me,
grim doubts continued to torment me.
Without disclosing my intention,
I went to Delphi to consult the Pythian oracle,
but Apollo ignored what I’d asked,
and instead told me other horrible things: 790
I would have sexual intercourse with my mother
and sire a brood that other men
would shudder to see.
In addition to this, I would be the killer of my father.
After this, guided by the stars, I left my home, Corinth,
meaning never to see it again,
so that those dreadful prophecies would never be fulfilled.
I walked to the place where you say the king died.
I’ll tell you the truth. 800
When I came to the crossroads,
I met a man, riding in a carriage, with a herald, just as you said.
The driver and the old man tried to force me off the road.
In my fury I struck out at the driver,
who was trying to push me away.
When he saw this, the old man waited until I was coming past
and then hit me full on the head
with his double-pronged stick,
which he used to goad the horses.
I gave back double what he delivered: 810
I struck him full on with my staff
and knocked him out of the carriage.
By then I was besides myself with rage.
I killed him and then I killed them all.
But if it turns out that this stranger was indeed Laius,
then I would be the most miserable of all men:
no one more hated by the gods.
No stranger, no citizen could invite me into his home,
and no one speak to me: everyone must drive me away.
Only I am to blame for this curse that I laid on myself. 820
I have touched you in the bed of the dead man
with the same hands that murdered him.
Am I a criminal Am I an unholy monster
Must I run away and not see my family
May I not return to my native soil,
because then I risk marrying my mother
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