Why does the lone surviving slave of Laius' party plead to leave Thebes when he sees Oedipus on the throne?

Answer 1

Recognition of Theban King Oedipus as the killer of King Laius is what makes the lone surviving slave of the royal party plead his departure from Thebes. The sole Survivor sees Oedipus taking over his royal predecessor's job and wife. This survivor is the most trusted servant of Theban Queen Jocasta. So he knows she'll grant his request for a hasty departure before he possibly may be recognized by Oedipus.

The surviving slave ultimately can draw on knowledge that will ruin the life of the Queen whom he respects. He's a former shepherd whom Jocasta entrusts with the killing of her three day old son. The killing of a child is deemed far less heinous than the killing of one's father and sovereign in ancient Greece. And that's exactly what the child's fated to grow up to do, and more.

So when all the pieces of informaton from the surviving slave are put together, Oedipus also stands to lose all that he cherishes in life: his wife, his sense of self, his reputation, his possessions, his job, his home, and his family. The reason lies in the person that, albeit unknowingly, he really is: a murderer of father and king, and a sex offender with his own mother.