Compare And Contrast Oedipus And Creon

Great rulers only come once in Greek lifetime. Oedipus and Creon were both good rulers for Thebes, yet at the same time were men tragic of ill created fates and downfall. Oedipus was swift with action and had courage that could last a life time, while Creon was simplistic in nature and had a good head on his shoulders. Both kings, however had character flaws of stubbornness, as one tried to change and outrun his fate, while the other could not see past his nose, unable to make the right changes at the right time. As both were unable to change their ways in time, it led to the end of their legacies, one with death, and another with a life of loneliness. Although both Oedipus and Creon were considerably good rulers, their stubbornness for change …show more content…
Creon, now due to being ruler, has become a weary, wrinkled man who agonizes his accountability of ruling. Previously in the plays, he was a dedicated man to art advocacy, but had left that life behind, to completely surrender himself to the throne. Creon is a constructive man, soundly separating himself from the appealing ambitions of his brother-in-law, Oedipus, and his lineage. During Antigone, he advises Antigone that his only passions now are in government and civil order. The play of Antigone shows how Creon takes to being a ruler, being just and fair, yet having similar characteristics of Oedipus. Both are shown to be stubborn rulers, and this attribute is what causes waver in their downfall. An example of this is that Creon made an explicit law about giving burial rights to his nephew, Polynices. His reasoning behind his decree was he thought of Polynices to be an enemy of Thebes, as he had raised an army other than in Thebes. His niece, Antigone, disobeyed her uncle’s decree, and buried her brother, knowing that the punishment of this atrocity would be death. Creon did not waver from his mandate, and sentenced Antigone to death. His stubbornness of following his exact law end up destroying his life before he even realizes it, as due to Antigone’s death, his son and wife both die in the …show more content…
Creon’s beliefs on life is the happiness that one makes for oneself, be it the simplest of things. Aloof in being a villain in Antigone’s tragedy, Creon had no immediate ambition to sentence Antigone to death. Antigone was more valuable to Thebes as someone who could produce an heir to the throne, than as its scapegoat, and orders her crime to be covered-up quickly. Though indulgent of his niece, Creon would have no choice but to put Antigone to death, as the people had found out allegations before he could cover up her crimes against the kingdom. Creon then re-thinks his proposition on executing Antigone, instead killing her, he decides to entomb her in stone. As Antigone is incarcerated, Creon tries to undo what he has done as it is prophesied later that he will lose everything in the end. When his conscious finally tries to do what’s right, a messenger comes in with news of Antigone’s death. Creon’s son, Haemon, who was also Antigone’s fiancé, finds her dead and wails at his loss. He then proceeds to kill himself, as he could not live without Antigone. It is also known that Creon’s wife, had gone back to her room where she killed herself. With Creon’s family dead, the king is left entirely alone in the palace. He is even robbed of his mourning. As king to the throne of Thebes, he is taken away into a cabinet meeting, just a few short moments after the