He is seen as a savior to the people of the city and constructs his identity around these character traits. Creating such an image of power and authority for himself alters his reality. He is exalted in the insular world of Thebes, but not nearly as powerful in a worldly perspective. Therefore, Oedipus has little sense of the reality of his role in the world, a notion that will cause problems between himself and his culture.
When Teiresias the prophet comes to visit Oedipus and advise him on the fate of his city, he tells Oedipus that it is he who is to blame for the strife of the land. Oedipus refuses to believe him, even though Teiresias is a reliable prophet with word from the gods. By refusing this prophecy, Oedipus shows that he listens to the gods selectively for good news, rather than fully submitting himself to anything that may be prophesized. He sees himself as so powerful and prosperous that he does not need the advice of the gods. Even when Teiresias tells Oedipus, "A deadly footed, double striking curse from father and mother both, shall drive [him] forth out of this land (lines 416-418)," Oedipus refuses to believe it, even though this prophecy shares some likeness to the one that he ran away from years ago. This refusal to believe the prophecy is Oedipus" direct denial of his own fate. Denying his fate is like denying his true identity, because he was meant to be the person who fulfilled the prophecy sent by the gods, no matter how tragic it might be. Oedipus attempts to avoid his fate on more than one occasion throughout his lifetime, all the while not accepting his inevitable doom and rejecting his own identity.
By accusing Oedipus of such sins, Teiresias creates a sense of humanity about the exalted king, bringing in an outside perspective of his role in the world. By rejecting Teiresias" prophecy, Oedipus is not only rejecting his identity, but also denying the power of the gods over mankind and him.
