False Sense of Security

     Oedipus gains a false sense of security when he learns of the death of Polybus. After hearing from the messenger that "a light tip of the scales put old bones to rest"(line 1051), Oedipus rejoices that his fears have been relieved- or so he thinks. He declares "all those prophecies I feared... They're nothing, worthless."(lines 1062-1064). Oedipus is still wary that he will somehow, against all odds, sleep with his mother if he travels back to Corinth. After learning that Polybus was not his true father, a messenger tells the tale of how Laius was the one who left Oedipus on Mount Cithaeron all those years ago.
     If Oedipus had learned of his true bloodline when he was young, he would have not feared to go to back to Corinth in his later years. This false sense of security was only temporary, for as soon as he learned that Polybus was not his true father, Oedipus spiraled out of control. I feel that the reason he gouged out his own eyes is so that he could not see the prophecies unfold any longer. All his life he wanted to avoid them, only to be caught in the tangled web of prophecy in a world where "Nothing I could see could bring me joy."(line 1473)