In this excerpt from "Oedipus Rex," the conversation between Oedipus and the messenger reveals critical information about Oedipus's past. The messenger identifies himself as a shepherd who previously tended Laius's flocks and claims he is the one who saved Oedipus as a child. Oedipus, grappling with his identity and the painful history of his ankle injury, learns that he was not directly handed over to the messenger, but rather received from another shepherd who also hailed from Laius's house. This revelation stirs Oedipus’s desire to identify this herdsman, as he believes it will shine a light on the mystery surrounding his birth.
Despite this pursuit of truth, Jocasta urges Oedipus to abandon the quest for information regarding his origins, fearing it may lead to more anguish and suffering for them both. Oedipus, however, remains determined, expressing that regardless of his lineage, Jocasta's dignity remains untarnished. This tension underscores the conflict between the pursuit of truth and the desire for peace, as Jocasta’s anxiety grows over the potential implications of Oedipus discovering his true lineage. The conversation heightens the sense of impending doom that permeates the narrative, as Oedipus remains resolute yet oblivious to the tragic fate that awaits him.