The Chorus wants to hear Oedipus's tragic story from the source himself. He doesn't want to talk. He gives the details little by little, and the Chorus is horrified, but he also insists once again that he is no sinner. He additionally confirms that he killed his father Laius, but is innocent of wrongdoing here as well.
Theseus arrives to play let's make a deal-- he has some pity and respect for Oedipus. Oedipus asks that he be protected and buried in Athens. He knows his sons are coming to carry him back to Thebes, but he will not go with them-- not after they banished him while he desired to remain. He knows they are only coming at the urging of an oracle that Oedipus will help them in battle. Oedipus is offering to remain in Athens and so to aid them in battle against Thebes. Theseus finds this silly. There is peace between the cities! But Oedipus explains that all peace is fleeting in the affairs of men. Theseus is happy to oblige Oedipus, but Oedipus begs him to swear an oath for his protection. Done.
Chorus sings the praises of Athens.
Creon arrives to force Oedipus back to Thebes. [He speaks with a nastiness uncharacteristic of him in Oedipus the King, but all too characteristic in Antigone.] Oedipus curses him out for his duplicity. The fight, and Oedipus laughs that he has the protection of all Athens behind him. So Creon changes tactics and seizes the girls Antigone and Ismene instead. Caught completely off guard, the Chorus begs for help. No one saw this coming.
Words exchanged between the men of Thebes and the men of Athens. Creon: "Then it's Thebes and Athens on the battlefield." Oedipus gets a little too excited that his prediction from six pages earlier was correct. Oedipus loses hold of Antigone, his only guide through his dark wanderings. Creon sticks around to put down Oedipus one last time, but when he turns back the men have taken Antigone away and Creon himself is surrounded by the Athenians. He's screwed.
Creon makes one last lunge at Oedipus, but the Athenians hold him back. Theseus arrives with backup.
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More and more, Oedipus is proclaiming his innocence of any wrongdoing. It's a respectable defiance in the face his fate, in a way.
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