As the crisis of the first conflict develops, the plot simultaneously reverts to details of exposition. When Oedipus reveals his real identity -- that he is not just any ordinary wandering beggar but the ill-fated ex-king of Thebes -- the chorus shuns him. They await the arrival of their king, Theseus, who must finally decide whether Oedipus stays or not. This occurs in Episode I, after Oedipus has revealed his past misfortunes in greater detail to win the chorus' sympathy and Ismene arrives with news of the civil war presently raging in Thebes between Oedipus' two sons. Oedipus recalls, to the chorus, his misdeeds as king of Thebes. He attempts to justify them as purely involuntary actions, willed more by the gods than himself. The choric "kommos", just before Theseus' entry, also underscores Oedipus' ignorance and innocence regarding his parricide and incestuous marriage. The first stasimon which rounds off this episode is a finely-wrought paean to Colonus, Sophocles' birth place and the sacred spot where Oedipus hopes to find his final salvation.

In Episode II, the plot begins to move forward freely. The theme of reconciliation between Oedipus and the chorus is now disturbed by a new development -- the arrival of Creon, who represents Eteocles and Thebes. The discordant note of impending war is stridently struck in Creon's brash dialogues. He hopes to drag Oedipus back to Thebes against his will, as victory in the imminent civil war is promised by the oracles to the side that harbors Oedipus safely. The choric "kommos" at mid-scene shows how Oedipus has already been integrated into the society of Colonus, and the chorus, refusing to let Creon abduct Oedipus, guards him. Creon orders his attendants to carry Antigone away and perversely reveals he has already snatched Ismene from Colonus. Oedipus curses Creon and his family to a bitter doom.

Episode III is a brief section that changes the mood from the fear and tensions of war in the earlier scene to the happy reunion of father and daughters. The structural climax of the play is about to occur as Polyneices arrives to try and gain Oedipus' support in the upcoming battle for Thebes. Oedipus is unwilling to meet his rash son, but Theseus and Ismene gradually prevail upon him to grant Polyneices an audience. The accompanying stasimon to Episode III tells of the struggles and turmoil of human life, its tragedy, and suffering.

Episode IV, the climax of the play, now takes place as Polyneices meets his father. Oedipus refuses to be a party to Polyneices' scheme to get him back to Thebes to dislodge Eteocles. Oedipus utters a terrible curse, dooming the battle between the two brothers to a tragic end.

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