Oedipus Journal One

Dear Diary,
Today was quite a troubling day for me, my friend. I feel as though writing it all down is the only way to really sort it all out.

I had all of my priest friends over for a little chat. They informed me that Thebes is literally dying right now. (Thanks for the heads up, guys.). My city, the city I solved the sphinx's riddle for, the city I am now king of, is going downhill. And fast! These guys were literally freaking out. They begged me to save them and the city. When I say begged, I mean REALLY begged. There was praying involved. While I could get used to that, it got me pretty riled up. So I promised them a solution. I am their mighty kind after all. Plus if everyone is dead, who will I rule?

Thankfully, I sent my faithful brother-in-law Creon to Delphi (Apollo the Prophet's Oracle), in hopes that he would bring us back something we could do to rid the beautiful city of Thebes of this hardship it is bearing. He brought back the news that we had to find and punish the murderer of Thebes' previous king, Laius. This came as quite a shock. But of course I am willing to do whatever it takes to save my city. The only issue is that we had no idea how to find this murderer. I asked the chorus of citizens that came out to sing about the problems in the story thus far to come forward with any information they had about the murder. They had none. Ignorant common folk. Then we thought we'd bring good old Tiresias about to tell us who the murderer was. It is said, although he is blind, that he sees with the sight of Apollo. Logically, if he did not know, no one else would.

Tiresias got there and we told him what we wanted. He was not too happy. He made it very clear that he knew the information that we wanted but that he was not going to reveal it. Sweet guy, really. Quite the charmer. This angered me greatly; so of course, I threatened him. I also thought that him and Creon were working together in a plot to overthrow me. That really peeved me. In response, he completely flew off the handle! He started hurling accusations all over the place. At first I did not understand him. Then it became clear that he was calling ME the murderer! What did he think he was playing at?

His speech became even more and more confusing. He was sort of insulting me. I did not like that much. Then I lost track of where he was going with the conversation. He started talking about my father. I have no idea who that is, so how did he? That guy. I tell you. He started talking about a man who was married to his mother and killed his father. What kind of person would do that? I think he must be losing his mind. Either that or just trying to confusing me. Either way, I kicked him out. I mean, I am a king. Was I supposed to just sit around and take the disrespect he was dishing out? I don't think so.

It did get me wondering though...who was this horrible man he was talking about? First he was talking about me...then he went to this guy. Could he have been saying these things about me? He couldn't have. I don't even know my parents. I love my wife Jocasta, there is no way she could be my mother. I don't know what to make of this. If Tiresias was making this all up just to confuse me, I shall have to punish him. If he was talking about someone else, why did he bring it up? There is no way everything he said was true though. That would be crazy.

By the beard of Zeus! Look at the time! I really must be going! Until next time, my beloved confidant.

Oedipus