Oedipus Vs Creon Analysis

1. Comparing Creon and Oedipus: Creon has come to replace Oedipus at the throne
Creon compares himself to Oedipus. They were loyal to him so they should be loyal to Creon “You never hesitated in your duty to our late ruler Oedipus[…] and I as in the next in blood have succeeded to the full power of the throne…until he has been tested in office” (196).
No aspects of Creon are admirable in Antigone and the audience is void of sympathy for the character as he continues to indulge in his hamartia. Oedipus on the other hand was once a well liked character and so the audience is able to experience catharsis as he falls from grace.
Both Oedipus and Creon’s fatal flaw was pride. Strophe 2 brings up their hamartia saying “No pride on earth is free
of the curse of heaven” (215).

2.
Oedipus’ curse has led to his children’s demise
Creon has only buried Eteocles honorably and left Polyneices to rot(Antigone blames her brother’s bad fate on Oedipus’ sins) pg 190
Antigone believes it is her father’s fault that she is doomed to die and states “O Oedipus, father and brother! Your marriage strikes from the grave to murder mine” (226).
The Chorus states, “Forever damnation rises behind each child […] I have seen this gathering sorrow from time long past. Loom upon Oedipus’ children: generation from generation” (215).

3. Law of the Gods versus Law of Man
“The law is strong…I beg the dead to forgive me…” (192). Ismene sides with man’s
law
“It is the dead not the living who make the longest demands…Law of the gods mean nothing to you” (192). Antigone points out the consequences that come with siding with man.
While arguing over Creon’s right to sentence Antigone to death, Haimon states, “ You have no right to trample on God’s right” (221).

4.
Parallels in contemporary society
Ismene makes a comment while in a stichomythia with Antigone that they are “ only women, we cannot fight with men, Antigone!” (191). Represents gender inequality during Ancient Greek times.
Creon is angered by Haimon justifying Antigone’s actions and defending someone as irrelevant as a woman. “Fool, adolescent fool! Taken in by a woman!” (221). Creon mocks the idea of Haimon standing up for a woman’s idea of justice.
The Chorus is impressed by Antigone’s fearless acceptance of death and comments on “What woman has ever found your way to death” (225). Women were expected to be weak and try to escape, but instead Antigone welcomes death so she can be with Polyneices and she knows that she has followed the Law of the Gods.

5. References to the Gods are meant to allude to the significance they play in the people’s lives
Strophe tells the story of a queen who rips her two son’s eyes out and then comments that “While grinning Ares watched the shuttle plunge four times: four blind wound crying for revenge” (229).
The Chorus blames Aphrodite for the doom that will prevail as Creon and Haimon are divided because of Aphrodite’s’ spell of love. “Love, unconquerable… A girl’s glance working the will of heaven: Pleasure to her alone who mocks, Merciless Aphrodite”
(224).
The Chorus tells the story of Danae who was locked away in a cell where sunlight could not come, but Zeus being the all-powerful god he was, had a shower of gold love poured over her. Strophe used the power of Zeus to show that no one can escape their destiny as commented on in “No power in wealth or war or tough sea-blackened ships can prevail against untiring Destiny!” (229).