Day and Night
Oedipus in Oedipus the King and Creon in Antigone do not share many of the same qualities. Oedipus has one feel sorry for him throughout the play. His behavior as a leader, father, and husband do not explain why he is treated the way he is. On the other side stands Creon. From the beginning Creon’s motives and attitude are questionable. The reader may not agree with how Creon behaves. To compare Oedipus and Creon is to compare night to day. Oedipus is a decent king in the fact that he does want what is best for Thebes. Oedipus loves the people and tries his best to please them even if it means his own destruction. He saved Thebes from the Sphinx, which shows his wisdom and courage. Oedipus had to work for his place as king and he respects his power. Creon on the other hand only wants what is best for him. He just happened to be in the right place at the right time and the throne fell in his lap. He therefore does not respect his power and abuses it. He thinks that he owns Thebes and does not respect its inhabitants. He shows this when he says, “is Thebes about to tell me how to rule?” (1464). Creon has some weaknesses as a leader. He is very easily angered and acts like a tyrant.