This doesn't just happen to Oedipus either, if Laius and Jocasta hadn't defied the Gods and abandoned Oedipus to save their own fate because of the oracles prediction; then its possible none of tragedies that prevailed would have occurred. Oedipus arrogantly says, "You pray to the Gods, let me grant your prayers." This suggests he believes he is on the same level or maybe even as dominant as the Gods. He goes as far to imply he can replace one of the Gods responsibilities and ironically, this arrogance leads to his downfall. The chorus displays the power of the Gods when it advises, "if any man comes striding, high and mighty - no reverence for the Gods - let a rough tear him down, repay his pride breakneck, ruinous pride!" Ironically, this is exactly what happens to Oedipus, one of his greatest qualities becomes his demise. Jocasta reassures Oedipus when he hears that a prophecy from Delphi apparently shows his fate, saying "no skill in the world, nothing can penetrate the future." It is ironic that in the very next scenes she prays to the same Gods whose capabilities she just mocked. It is also ironical that Teiresias believes in fate and has hope in the Gods, "what will be will be." This compares the good and innocent Teiresias virtues to the arrogant and foolish ones of Oedipus.
Irony reveals information about Oedipus, his journey, family and the city of Thebes. Oedipus has a strong conviction that the people who raised him were his true biological parents. He refuses to believe that Jocasta is his mother. Ironically, even though he escaped Delphi he failed to escape destiny. For example, Oedipus declares "I know you are sick to death (from the plague) all of you but sick as you are, not one is as sick as I." Here he means he feels their suffering, however the audience knows this has a double meaning, Oedipus is the only one plagued and "sick" - with the crimes of incest and patricide.
