Why does Teiresias hesitate to tell Oedipus the truth of his identity? What is the significance of Oedipus's slow coming awareness of that identity?...

seems to hesitate to
tellthe truth about his real identity because the prophet knows that it will only bring pain and
upset to the king and his family. He says,

Alas, alas,
what misery to be wise
When wisdom profits nothing! This old lore
I had
forgotten; else I were not here.

In other words, he says
that it is actually a curse to possess wisdom when that wisdom can do no good in the world.
Teiresias says that, had he remembered why Oedipus might want him to come, he would not have
done so. In fact, he seems to try to protect the king, saying, "'twere best / That thou
shouldst bear thy burden and I mine." He speaks of the misery that his knowledge would
cause Oedipus, and even though Oedipus begins to insult and rail against him, Teiresias tries to
hold his tongue.

When Teiresias finally does give in and tell Oedipus that
he is the "accursed polluter of this land" and that he "livest with [his] nearest
kin / In...