The shepherd arrives but resists telling what he knows. Only when Oedipus threatens violence does the shepherd reveal that long ago he disobeyed his orders and saved the baby out of pity. And, finally, he admits that the baby was the son of Laius and Jocasta.
With this news, Oedipus realizes that he has murdered his father and married his mother. Horrified by his crimes, Oedipus rushes wildly into the palace.
