Kings of Thebes: Creon and Oedipus

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Kings of Thebes: Creon and Oedipus Sophocles was a brilliant, prizewinning dramatist that wrote over 120 plays in his productive lifetime. Of those, only a handful of them survive today, two of which, Oedipus the King, and Antigone, have characters that show a number of like qualities. Oedipus and Creon were both Kings of Thebes and are similar in their ways of leadership, in their undying determination, and in their huge sense of pride. Creon and Oedipus both want to do what they think is best for the city of Thebes. In Oedipus the King, Oedipus recognizes that in order for his city to get back to the way it once was, before the plague, he has to find the person, or persons, responsible for King Lauis’ death. He will stop at nothing to lead his city in what he believes is the right way. Creon’s first edict states that no one is permitted to bury Polynices, who, he deems, is a conspirator against the city. In Antigone, he states: These are my principles. Never at my hands will the traitor be honored above the patriot. But whoever proves his loyalty to the state: I’ll prize that man in death as well as life. (Sophocles, p. 1282, ll. 232 – 235). Creon uses this belief to protect and guide his city. Both men show a determination like no other. Oedipus is, without a shadow of a doubt, going to find out who killed King Lauis. He will utilize all resources available to him until this information is brought to light. He affirms, “So I will fight for him as if he were my father, / stop at nothing, search the world / to lay my hands on the man who shed his blood,” (Sophocles, Oedipus the King, p. 301, ll. 301 -303). In a similar fashion, Creon is determined to discover who is responsible for the burial of Polynices, thus breaking his first edict. He orders the guards to stay and keep a constant watch until, finally,

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