First of all, Tiresias alludes to the fact that Oedipus' relationship with Jocasta is a “sinful union” (Sophocles 36). Oedipus is unable to make the connection between what Tiresias says and his own prophecy. Oedipus does not want to acknowledge the fact that he has committed a sin and avoids knowing the truth while remaining unaware of his true parents. Furthermore, when Tiresias openly tells Oedipus that “the murderer he [is] looking for is [himself]” (Sophocles 36). Oedipus refuses to believe this and instead accuses Tiresias of lying and plotting against him. Oedipus, as a well-known and intelligent character, should have listened to Tiresias, known for being a wise man; instead, Oedipus places the blame on Teiresias. Tiresias then goes on to foreshadow that the "insults" (Sophocles 36) that Oedipus is hurling at him "will one day [be] hurled at [him]" (Sophocles 36). Oedipus does not take Teiresias' warning seriously, instead continuing to insult him. Oedipus' inability to face the truth will lead to him being banished and blinded due to his ignorance. Similarly, Jocasta attempts to prevent Oedipus from gaining knowledge by explaining that it "[i]t makes no difference now" (Sophocles 55) and to "[f]orget" (Sophocles 55) what he has been told. Jocasta not only tries to prevent Oedipus from learning the truth, but she also tries to prevent herself from verifying it, which later results in her unfortunate suicide. Furthermore, Jocasta's ignorance and inability to discover Oedipus' true past leads her to commit incest, a grave sin. Jocasta and Oedipus committing this sin then results in God's punishment of Thebes. Demonstrating this, ignorance leads to