Oedipus Vs Creon Analysis

Valery Lopez March 3rd, 2016

Oedipus from “Oedipus Rex” and Creon from “Antigone” both share a common feature. They’re both tragic heroes and share the same story. Although their title throughout the play was the same, some of their intentions, moral and ways of thinking weren’t as much but also were at the same time. In spite of their failure to lead Thebes when they most needed a leader to protect the city their effort was valued but it wasn’t enough. Oedipus and Creon played the same role and ended with the same conclusion. As any tragic hero, Oedipus and Creon had their fatal flaws that got them to where or how they ended up. Their leaderships were caused because of an unfortunate fate. Oedipus became king because as the prophet said, Oedipus crossed paths with Laius and it led to a fight where
He believes a little too much in the loyalty that Polynices disobeyed of Thebes and he ends up being too stubborn to give him the burial he was supposed to have which ends up hurting his family. Creon believed he was right to not let anyone mourn over or give Polynices the proper burial. This triggered what the prophet prophesized and everyone including Creon, killed themselves. Oedipus and Creon’s beliefs were much different, along with their actions. Both of them not following or believing what the prophet says hurts them in a lot of ways. Their fate was both handed to them and they chose to ignore it because they thought their title of “King” was more important and had more significance, but the truth is they were bother completely wrong. The prophet had more power over both of them knowing their fates and what the truth was. Creon was too loyal to his laws that it ruined his family. In conclusion, Oedipus was an honest king, he was very well respected by his people but Creon was never admired like Oedipus was. He was a king who did what had to be done make to Thebes