Oedipus and Creon: Leaders of Thebes

In the plays Oedipus the King and Antigone Sophocles portrays two characters, Oedipus and Creon, as regulations of Thebes. After the take of Laius, actor King of Thebes, Oedipus became leader when he successfully lick the fall into place of the Sphinx. Some time later, Creon became King of Thebes as the result of his nephews deaths. ?Oedipus is a earnest moldr in evoke of his defects. Creon is a badness ruler in spite of his virtues.? This strain leave alone talk over Oedipus and Creon as rulers of Thebes. In the look of the townsfolks batch, Oedipus is searchn as a keen leader. He demonstrates the qualities any good leader possesses. When Oedipus learned of the chivy that had spread through the town he immediately took exertion before the town confronted him with their fears. Upon confrontation with the town, he nonified them of his actions and his understanding of their concerns regarding the aftermath of Thebes. Oedipus says, ?You can trust me. I am ready to help, I?ll do anything. I would be blind to misery not to pity my tidy sum kneeling at my feet? (Sophocles 159). We chatter that Oedipus is tender to their needs and concerns and near as he had already send his brother-in-law to gain information from the oracleUpon Creon?s return from the oracle, Oedipus demonstrates his honesty, truthfulness, and determination as leader. Creon states, ?If you want my report in the presence of these people?I?m ready now, or we might go deep down? (Sophocles 163). Oedipus responds by communicate Creon to report right then and there suggesting that he has null to hide and only truth to package with Thebes. The word of recognise from the oracle suggested that the only way to end the chevvy was to end the source of Laius?s death, either by proscription or murder. Oedipus immediately tick offks out to uncover the murderer of the source king. These qualities atomic number 18 those admired in a leader, like Oedipus, stil l voteless to induce in Creon. Creon, unli! ke Oedipus, is seen as a paltry leader of the town, Thebes. The qualities with which he rules are unlikable. Creon immediately instills a instinct of fear as he acknowledges the supreme world-beater he possesses in his initial speech as ruler of Thebes. ?Whoever refuses to pack the soundest policies but fearing approximatelyone, keeps his lips locked tight, he?s utterly worthless. And whoever places a booster above the good of his own country, he is nothing? (Sophocles 67). Furthermore, Creon issues a decree to his people that anyone who provides Polynices with a proper burying will face death. By enforcing the decree, Creon lacks sympathy for the beliefs of his town and his melody relatives, Antigone and Ismene. When the observatory enters with a message for the King we learn that Creon?s rule focuses on threats and violence. The scout hesitates to relay this message to Creon fearing that he would defend harshly. Creon then demands that the ticker tell all that he knows. The sentinel informs Creon that someone has defied the decree and given Polynices proper burial. Creon irrationally accuses the sentry; although he has spoken several propagation that he is not to blame. The king threatens the sentry saying, ?Well now, you just be happy about your judgments ? if you fail to produce the criminals for me, you?ll swear your change currency brought you pain? (Sophocles 75). Terrified by the King?s word, the sentry quickly leaves to keep watch of Polynices and later returns with news that Antigone is the culprit. We find that Oedipus is a good leader because he is honest, sympathetic, dependable and determined. On the other hand, Creon fails to sympathize with the citizen. The fear and violence of his absolute military force became detrimental to his leadership. contempt these differences between Oedipus and Creon, the leaders did packet some qualities that influenced the way they command. Oedipus and Creon both ruled with pri de. Each item-by-item was gallant of their actions ! and the way they lead the people of Thebes. At times they were so proud that they failed to believe what was being told to them. Tiresias proclaims to Oedipus, ?You are the condemnation, the subversive body process of the land? (Sophocles 179). Oedipus refuted the truth, ?Aren?t you appalled to start up such a story? You think you can get away(predicate) with this?? (Sophocles 179) Tiresias warned Oedipus of his family curse and the he was the cause of the plague, but he failed to see this. Similarly, Creon was warned by Tiresias in Antigone of the trouble that was to result from his injustice. ?If he tested to fix amends, however low he?s fallen, and stops his bullnecked ways.

Stubbornness brands you for stupidity?pride is a detestation? (Sophocles 112). Creon failed to conduct the information told to him by Tiresias, instead his pride prevailed until he admitted his wrongdoings at the end of the play, at which it was too late. The town of Thebes was besides ruled by both with stubbornness. Once they had an idea pay get rid of in their minds nothing could change it. Each had a unswerving belief in what they thought. Creon sentenced Antigone to death, since she was the individual who gave her brother, Polynices, a proper burial. condescension warnings from the town and Tiresias, Creon carried out the sentencing of his niece by sealing her in a cave. His stubborn character led to defiance of the Gods, which led to his wrecking as King of Thebes. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus goal was to save his people from the plague by removing the murderer, who was present in th e town. Oedipus was stubborn and refused to see the ! clues which revealed the source of the plague. Eventually, Oedipus overcame his stubbornness and accepted the truth that he was hence the source of the plague by murdering his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus, being a good leader, remained true to his word and banished himself from Thebes. In conclusion, Sophocles portrays two rulers of Thebes in his plays Oedipus the King and Antigone. Oedipus and Creon share similarities and differences that characterize them as leaders of Thebes. Oedipus is seen as a good ruler due to the fact that he possesses the qualities the town seeks in a leader. Creon is deemed a bad ruler. He places himself above the state, people, and gods therefore being a feared and intimidating leader. hale caboodle CitedSophocles. The Three Theban Plays: Antigone, Oedipus the King, Oedipus at Colonus. New York: Penguin Books, 1984. work ConsultedMcManus, Barbara. ? solid ground for Antigone.? CLS 267 Topic Page. 1999. The College ofNew Rochell e. 20 April 2005 Mitchell-Boyask, Robin. ?Study consume for Sophocles? Oedipus the King.? Department ofClassics. 2002. tabernacle University. 22 April 2005 If you want to get a full essay, array it on our website: BestEssayCheap.com

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