Oedipus vs Creon
Patrick Eng
Mrs. Thompson
English II – 6
17 April 2014
Compare and Contrast Creon and Oedipus
In the plays Oedipus the King and Antigone Creon and Oedipus both are similar, but are different in many ways too. They both share in common their overbearing determination, but different in their care for the people of Thebes.
Initially, both Oedipus and Creon exert an overbearing determination that can be the tragic flaw that destroys their lives. Oedipus was determined to find the killer of King Laius saying, “As for the criminal, I pray to God- whether it be a lurking thief, or one of a number- I pray that that man's life be consumed in evil and wretchedness and as for me this curse applies no less…” (Sophocles). Creon' s motive of determination was not to back down from his word and law. The law was whoever buries Polyneices would be publicly stoned to death, since Polyneices didn't deserve a proper burial for his actions in war. Creon later finds out that Antigone has buried her brother and Creon replies She has much to learn. “The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first, and the wildest horses bend their neck at the pull of the smallest curb…Breaking the law and boasting of it. Who is the man here she or I, if this crime goes unpunished?” (Sophocles) Neither Oedipus nor Creon wants to show that they are weak leaders so they both do what they think is right, and will not back down. In the other hand, Creon and Oedipus are opposite of each other. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is thought to be an extremely intelligent leader who rose to his role due to his own aptitude and skill that no one else could accomplish. He used his mind to work out a problem and solve it, he is caring for the welfare of his people too. In contrast, Creon in Antigone got power from inheritance since Polynieces and Ethocles were both killed. So Creon is manipulative and is a greedy ruler. There are many differences and similarities of these two great characters,
Mrs. Thompson
English II – 6
17 April 2014
Compare and Contrast Creon and Oedipus
In the plays Oedipus the King and Antigone Creon and Oedipus both are similar, but are different in many ways too. They both share in common their overbearing determination, but different in their care for the people of Thebes.
Initially, both Oedipus and Creon exert an overbearing determination that can be the tragic flaw that destroys their lives. Oedipus was determined to find the killer of King Laius saying, “As for the criminal, I pray to God- whether it be a lurking thief, or one of a number- I pray that that man's life be consumed in evil and wretchedness and as for me this curse applies no less…” (Sophocles). Creon' s motive of determination was not to back down from his word and law. The law was whoever buries Polyneices would be publicly stoned to death, since Polyneices didn't deserve a proper burial for his actions in war. Creon later finds out that Antigone has buried her brother and Creon replies She has much to learn. “The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks first, and the wildest horses bend their neck at the pull of the smallest curb…Breaking the law and boasting of it. Who is the man here she or I, if this crime goes unpunished?” (Sophocles) Neither Oedipus nor Creon wants to show that they are weak leaders so they both do what they think is right, and will not back down. In the other hand, Creon and Oedipus are opposite of each other. In Oedipus Rex, Oedipus is thought to be an extremely intelligent leader who rose to his role due to his own aptitude and skill that no one else could accomplish. He used his mind to work out a problem and solve it, he is caring for the welfare of his people too. In contrast, Creon in Antigone got power from inheritance since Polynieces and Ethocles were both killed. So Creon is manipulative and is a greedy ruler. There are many differences and similarities of these two great characters,