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In the plays Oedipus the Full and Antigone Sophocles shows two character types, Oedipus and Creon, while rulers of Thebes.
After the murder of Laius, past King of Thebes, Oedipus became head when he successfully solved the riddle in the Sphinx. A while later, Creon became Full of Thebes as the result of his nephews deaths. “Oedipus is a good ruler in spite of his defects. Creon is a awful ruler in spite of his virtues. This kind of essay will discuss Oedipus and Creon as rulers of Thebes.
In the eyes of the townspeople, Oedipus is seen as a good leader. He demonstrates the qualities worthwhile leader offers. When Oedipus learned from the plague that had spread through the community he quickly took actions before the city confronted him with their fears. Upon meeting with the town, this individual notified these people of his actions wonderful understanding of their particular concerns regarding the outcome of Thebes. Oedipus says, “You can people. I are ready to support, I’ll do anything.
I would be impaired to agony not to shame my persons kneeling at my feet (Sophocles 159). We see that Oedipus is sympathetic to their needs and concerns and dependable as he experienced already sent his brother-in-law to gain info from the oracle
Upon Creon’s return through the oracle, Oedipus demonstrates his honesty, accuracy, and dedication as leader. Creon declares, “If you want my report inside the presence of the people¦I’m ready now, or we might get inside (Sophocles 163). Oedipus responds simply by asking Creon to survey right then and there indicating that this individual has not hide in support of truth to see Thebes. This news from the oracle suggested that the only approach to end the plague was going to remove the way to obtain Laius’s fatality, either simply by banishment or murder. Oedipus immediately looks for out to discover the killer of the past king. These types of qualities are those respected in a head, like Oedipus, but hard to find in Creon.
Creon, contrary to Oedipus, can be considered a poor innovator of the city, Thebes. The qualities with which he rules are unlikable. Creon instantly instills a feeling of fear as he acknowledges the power he possesses in the initial speech as leader of Thebes. “Whoever will not adopt the soundest guidelines but fearing someone, maintains his lips locked restricted, he’s entirely worthless. And whoever areas a friend above the good of his very own country, heis nothing (Sophocles 67). Furthermore, Creon concerns a rule to his people that anyone who provides Polynices with a appropriate burial will face death. By enforcing the rule, Creon lacks sympathy to get the beliefs of his town fantastic blood family, Antigone and Ismene.
If the sentry enters with a concept for the King we learn that Creon’s regulation focuses on risks and violence. The sentry hesitates to relay this kind of message to Creon fearing that he would react harshly. Creon after that demands the fact that sentry notify all that he knows. The sentry shows Creon that someone provides defied the decree and given Polynices proper burial. Creon irrationally accuses the sentry; even though he provides spoken many times that he is not to blame. The full threatens the sentry stating, “Well right now, you just end up being clever about your judgments ” if you neglect to produce the criminals personally, you’ll trust your soiled money brought you pain (Sophocles 75). Terrified by the King’s term, the sentry quickly leaves to keep view of Polynices and later comes back with news that Antigone is the reason.
We find that Oedipus is a great leader as they is honest, sympathetic, reliable and determined. On the other hand, Creon fails to sympathize with the resident. The fear and violence of his overall power became detrimental to his leadership. Irrespective of these distinctions between Oedipus and Creon, the commanders did reveal some qualities that motivated the way they reigned over.
Oedipus and Creon equally ruled with pride. Each individual was proud of their activities and the approach they business lead the people of Thebes. Sometimes they were thus proud that they can failed to believe that what was being told to them. Tiresias proclaims to Oedipus, “You are definitely the curse, the corruption in the land (Sophocles 179). Oedipus refuted the reality, “Aren’t you appalled to begin up such a story? You imagine you can get apart with this? (Sophocles 179) Tiresias warned Oedipus of his family bane and the he was the cause of the plague, but he did not see this.
Similarly, Creon was aware by Tiresias in Antigone of the difficulty that was going to result from his injustice. “If he tried to make reparation, however low he’s decreased, and halts his bullnecked ways. Resistance brands you for stupidity-pride is a crime (Sophocles 112). Creon did not accept the knowledge told to him by simply Tiresias, instead his take great pride in prevailed till he confessed his wrongdoings at the end of the play, where it was past too far.
The town of Thebes was also dominated by the two with resistance. Once they had an idea occur their minds absolutely nothing could change it. Each had a firm idea in what they thought. Creon sentenced Antigone to death, since your woman was the person that gave her brother, Polynices, a proper funeral. Despite warnings from the city and Tiresias, Creon completed the sentencing of his niece simply by sealing her in a cave. His obstinate character led to defiance from the Gods, which in turn led to his downfall as King of Thebes.
In Oedipus the King, Oedipus goal was going to save his people through the plague simply by removing the murderer, who had been present in this town. Oedipus was stubborn and refused to find the clues which will revealed the cause of the problem. Eventually, Oedipus overcame his stubbornness and accepted the fact he was certainly the source from the plague by murdering his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus, being a good leader, continued to be true to his word and banished himself from Thebes.
In conclusion, Sophocles portrays two rulers of Thebes in the plays Oedipus the King and Antigone. Oedipus and Creon talk about similarities and differences that characterize these people as leaders of Thebes. Oedipus can be considered a good leader due to the fact that he possesses the qualities this town seeks within a leader. Creon is deemed a bad ruler. He locations himself above the state, people, and gods therefore like a feared and intimidating head.
Works Reported
Sophocles. Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the Full, Oedipus in Colonus.
New York: Penguin Books, 1984.
Works ConsultedMcManus, Barbara. “Background for Antigone. CLS 267 Topic Page. 1999. The school ofNew Rochelle. 20 The spring 2005 Mitchell-Boyask, Robin. “Study Guide for Sophocles’ Oedipus the Ruler. Section ofClassics. 2002. Temple School. 22 April 2005
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