Antigone And Oedipus Essay, Research Paper

In the plays Oedipus of Rex and Antigone by Sophocles, Oedipus and Creon exert

similar characteristics as leaders that ultimately result in their

characterization as tragic heroes. Their overbearing determination, relentless

pride, uncontrollable fate, and enormous grievances all portray the inevitable

outcome. Sophocles writes that the characters in the plays are chasten not

because of something they had done in the past but merely it is their fate.

Oedipus and Creon can not stop their fate no matter what great lengths they go

to. Revealing that catharsis is created when the audience has pity or fear when

they see that bad things can happen to good people. For this purpose, neither

Oedipus nor Creon where good leaders because both were hypocritical tragic

heroes. Initially, both Oedipus and Creon exert an overbearing determination

that can be the tragic flaw that destroys their lives. However, both have

contrasting motives. Oedipus was determined to find the killer of King Laius

saying, "As for the criminal, I pray to God- whether it be a lurking thief,

or one of a number- I pray that that man’s life be consumed in evil and

wretchedness and as for me this curse applies no less?" (World Lit 316).

Creon’ s motive of determination was not to back down from his word and law. The

law was whoever buries Polyneices would be publicly stoned to death, since

Polyneices didn’t deserve a proper burial for his actions in war. Creon later

finds out that Antigone has buried her brother and Creon replies " She has

much to learn. The inflexible heart breaks first, the toughest iron cracks

first, and the wildest horses bend their neck at the pull of the smallest

curb?Breaking the law and boasting of it. Who is the man here she or I, if

this crime goes unpunished?" (Western Literature 692) Neither Oedipus nor

Creon wants to show that they are weak leaders so they ironically empower their

tragic flaws with what they think is right. In addition to their overbearing

determination, both Oedipus and Creon show relentless pride that fulfills their

fates. Oedipus’ pride doesn’t allow him to see that he is the killer that he is

looking for, and consequently gouges out his eyes because he was so dishonored

by his unwillingness to stop looking for the killer. He banishes himself, even

though blind, so not to embarrass himself anymore. On the other hand, Creon’s

pride causes him to have a fight with his son Haimon about Antigone’s

punishment. The fight was never intended, but when Haimon suggested how Creon

should rule by what he thought was right and by what he had heard on the streets

Creon’s pride couldn’t take it. Creon was so absorbed in himself, he questions

how could he take advice from a prince when he gloats in his own wisdom. As

leaders Oedipus and Creon let their pride take over good judgement and allow

fate to play a role. Equally important, is that neither Oedipus nor Creon could

control their fate. Oedipus even went to great lengths not to let fate be

carried out. Oedipus moves away from home and refuses to see or speak to his

parents even though this causes both of them much pain. Oedipus knew that he

would kill his father and sleep with is mother and he takes many precautions but

they were only in vein. Oedipus finds out that he was adopted and had killed his

father Laius and unknowingly slept with his mother Jocasta. Parallel to this was

the fact that Creon would lose his son to his pride and also lose Antigone, even

though he later decided to set her free. He now has to live with his decision

and the fact that he was wrong. The fate that controls the lives of Oedipus and

Creon shows that bad things can happen to good people whether or not they

deserved it and that fate controls everyone even kings. Simultaneously, both

Oedipus and Creon end with grievances beyond comprehension. Oedipus’s grievance

is that his own law exiles him and that he looses his children. Oedipus shows

his remorse to his children when he says "Children: I could say much, if

you could understand me, but as it is, I have only this prayer for you: Live

where you can be happier, please God, than God has made your father!"

(World Lit. 366). Likewise, Creon looses his son Haimon. He also looses his wife

because his wife lost her child as well and couldn’t live with out him and so

she kills herself. Creon’s reply is "Oh pity! All true, all true, and more

than I can bear! Oh my wife my son!? It is right that it should be. I alone am

guilty. I know it and say it. Lead me in quickly, friends. I have neither life

nor substance. Lead me in." (Western Literature 711) The humanity is now

showing through Oedipus and Creon and as leaders they both realize now what they

have done and how they want to take everything back, but they can’t. Therefore

they live in their misery. Such catharsis that pours from the audience is

unbearable. In brief, the actions and words of Oedipus and Creon can account for

their poor leadership, but fate played the upper hand. Fate did not allow for

Oedipus or Creon to rule long enough to have the experience to be considered

wise, noble leaders who could face any situation.

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