Creon a Dynamic Theban Character

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In Oedipus Rex when Laius died Creon had to become Thebes’ king. Once the Sphinx began tormenting the city, he announced that solver of the Sphinx's riddle could have his crown and marry his sister. Creon honored his declaration and gave his title to Oedipus, and later stated he had no desire for kingship. According to SparkNotes he also argued that he had no desire to be king because he, and Oedipus ruled the kingdom with equal power. “Creon argues that he has no desire to usurp Oedipus as king because he, Jocasta, and Oedipus rule the kingdom with equal power”, and Creon supported this by saying , “ I was not born with such a frantic yearning to be king but to do what kings do” (588-589). However, in the final scene of Oedipus Rex, when due to Oedipus’ exile, he becomes king again.

In contrast, Creon enjoyed his kingship in Antigone. According to Shmoop, “By the time Antigone rolls around, Creon, the play's antagonist, has become an absolute tyrant. His hyper-logical mind refuses to recognize the bonds of familial love that tie Antigone to her brother Polyneices. He rejects the irrational laws of the gods in favor the rational laws of man,” when he became king, he picked up the accusatory, and paranoid traits of Oedipus, while also taking them further than Oedipus did. King Creon trusted no one who tried to help him, including his only son, Haemon. His family suffered because he refused to take advice or bend his will just a little. Creon's tyranny reached its climax when his son, Haemon, told him that the people believed Antigone deserved honor for burying her brother, not death. However, even after hearing what Haemon had said, Creon showed no compassion. Instead, his deep desire to strengthen his image as a ruler, and not wanting to change his own law caused him to remain stoic in his decision to execute Antigone. Ironically due to the domino effect caused by Antigone’s death, Creon's wife and only living child died.

In conclusion, Creon’s character transforms from a noble man with morality,and compassion to an arrogant king. In Oedipus Rex, Creon was the voice of reason and sympathy. His forgiveness towards Oedipus proved that he was not vengeful, and seeking the gods on what do with Oedipus confirm he had good rational judgment. Whereas in Antigone, Creon’s law forbidding the burial of Polynices and lack of sympathy towards Antigone’s life proves he is vengeful. Surely had Creon remained stoic throughout the two theban plays, his judgments would not have lead to his family's ruin.

Work Cited

"Character Analysis: Antagonist... But Not Villian." Shmoop. Shmoop University, n.d.Web. 19

July 2016.

Sophocles. Antigone. Ed. David Grene and Richard Lattimore. 2md ed. Vol. 1. Chicago: U of \

Chicago, 1956. Print. The Complete Greek Tragedies.

Sophocles. Oedipus Rex. Ed. David Grene and Richard Lattimore. 2nd ed. Vol. 1. Chicago: U of

Chicago, 1956. Print. The Complete Greek Tragedies.

"The Oedipus Plays." SparkNotes. B&N, n.d. Web. 20 July 2016.

"The Oedipus Trilogy: Creon." Cliffnotes. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, n.d. Web. 20 July 2016.