Oedipus Vs Creon Analysis

Sophocles, was a playwright about 2,500 years ago, who specialized in writing about Greek tragedies. In Sophocles’ plays, Oedipus Rex and Antigone, the main characters Oedipus and Creon, are both found in a position of power as the ruler of Thebes. Oedipus, who has been doomed by a prophecy, finds out that his wife is truly his mother and the person he killed on the roadway is really the King, and his father. Creon, who is Oedipus’ uncle, takes the throne after Oedipus leaves Thebes due to his mother committing suicide and Oedipus blinding himself. Creon becomes King, and is seen as a very strict ruler. He sentenced his niece, Antigone, to her death after burying her brother, Polyneices, which Creon outlawed because he declared Polyneices …show more content…
In the play Antigone, Creon, the ruler of Thebes, makes several decisions that are fueled by fear, but also create fear in the people. Antigone who is the daughter of Oedipus, makes a defiant decision to bury her brother against Creon’s wishes. When she is put on a trial, she recognizes that Creon is using her to make people do what he wants, “All these men here would praise me, were their lips not frozen shut with fear [from Creon]”(210). Creon is like Oedipus and is motivated by their fear. While Oedipus makes bad choices, it is based on the prophecy and the dread of what will happen if they do not expel the “plagued” person from Thebes. Creon is afraid of what his kingdom will do think after learning someone buried Antigone’s brother, Polyneices. Creon even goes so far to threaten his whole kingdom, just so he will find out the person who buried Antigone’s brother. In a rage of fury, he declares, “Find the man, bring him here to me, or your death/ Will be the least of your problems”(202). Creon is influenced by his anxiety, but is also using it to his advantage by threatening his people to do his dirty work of finding the person who buried Polyneices. As seen in both two plays, Antigone and Oedipus Rex, other characters are influenced by …show more content…
Ismene, Antigone’s sister, is seen a somewhat fearful person. When Antigone asks Ismene to come with her to bury their brother, she refuses. Ismene’s and Antigone’s conversation is heated while they are discussing each other's options,“He is my brother. And he is your brother, too.” “But think of the danger! Think of what Creon will do!” (p. 191) Ismene’s decision is driven by her fear if their uncle finds out about the burial of their brother, and what he will do. Ismene’s mother, Iocaste, is also influenced by her dread. Iocaste begs Oedipus,“Listen to me, I beg of you: do not do this thing”(57). Iocaste now realizes that Oedipus is indeed her son, and will do anything to keep the secret, including killing herself. Iocaste begs Oedipus not to dig deeper into the truth, but he does anyway, in fear that he is peasant born. Iocaste then kills herself out of panic because what others will think, including Oedipus, showing that character's actions in the play are influenced by fear, which causes them to make fatal mistakes and corrupt their