Already, in the preceding play, we have been informed by Oedipus that his act was not only not wilful parricide but was not even wilful homicide. Describing the fatal scene, Oedipus said[50]:
When I drew near the cross-road of your tale
A herald, and a man upon a car
Like your description, there encountered me.
And he who led the car and he himself,
The greybeard, sought to thrust me from the path.
Then in mine angry mood I sharply struck
The driver-man who turned me from the way;
Which when the elder saw he watched for me
As I passed by, and from the chariot seat