Essay on Oedipus Versus Creon - 1141 Words

Oedipus Versus Creon At first glance, Oedipus and Creon are two very different people. But as time progresses their personalities and even their fates grow more and more similar. In Sophocless play Oedipus the King, Oedipus and Creon are two completely opposite people. Oedipus is brash and thoughtless, whilst Creon is wise and prudent. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus effectively portrays the idea of the classic flawed hero. He becomes arrogant and brash. He accuses Creon and Tiresias of treachery. Even worse however, Oedipus goes against the gods. This causes them to punish him severely. Creon is the exact antithesis of Oedipus. He thinks before he acts. Creon is wise and loyal. In Sophocles other play, Antigone, however, he†¦show more content†¦Oedipus lashed out at Creon for betraying a kinsman (192). He did so without any evidence or proof. He just did accused Creon without thinking about the consequences. Although Creon stands against rashness and unthinking now, he soon be comes another Oedipus. In Antigone, Creon portrays all the character traits that made Oedipus such a bad ruler. Creon proclaims that no person can bury Antigones brother, Polynices. Soon enough however, a guard comes running in to tell him that Polynices has indeed been buried. Creon is furious. He immediately accuses the guard of burying him. You are a born nuisance (75), he says, You squandered your life for money (75). The guard summarizes Creons transformation from patient ruler to brash king when he says Oh its terrible when the one who does the judging judges things all wrong (75). Creon, just like Oedipus, accused the guard of something he didnt do. He lacked proof and he had little evidence, but he proclaimed him to death anyway. Oedipus and Creon are alike in yet another way. They both committed vile acts of hubris. Both of them went against the gods for feckless and pointless reasons. Oedipus committed hubris by insulting Tiresias. He accuses Tiresias of betraying us, dest roying Thebes (177). Tiresias is a prophet of the gods. He is just telling Oedipus what he has seen. Tiresiass refusal to tell Oedipus his secrets only results in more name-calling and humiliation. Oedipus calls him the scum of the earthShow MoreRelatedCompare And Contrast Creon In Oedipus The King893 Words   |  4 PagesSophocles’ Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, emphasizes the negative traits that Oedipus possess, by using a character foil named Creon. Jocasta’s brother, Creon, is introduced in the story when Oedipus accuses him of attempting to steal the throne. Creon’s positive and Oedipus’ negative impacts on Thebes are portrayed through their actions and character traits. Creon would be a better fit leader than Oedipus due to their positive and negative character traits. 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