Similarities Between Antigone And Oedipus The King

The purpose of the character, Tiresias, in both “Antigone” and “Oedipus the King” is to introduce new information to the audience. When the blind soothsayer makes an entrance, some truth will be revealed and the plot will take a new course. In both plays, the main characters, Creon and Oedipus are both overly confident and proud. At this time, some calamity occurs in the plot, and they seek a prophecy from the blind soothsayer. To their demise, both men challenge the foretelling, thus promoting the logical and and significant transformation to the plot.

In both tragedies, the character of Tiresias gives the audience an opportunity to experience a foreshadowing of events. Tiresias is revealing a “truth” or advised course of action for the characters. The audience knows that each has the choice to accept the word of the soothsayer or choose free will and then watch as “fate” steps in. Often, as in “Oedipus the King,” the audience already knows how the plot will evolve.

In the first play, “Antigone,” Creon is ruler of the city of Thebes. He is a strong and tyrannical man who is enraged that a citizen has disregarded his orders that a slain foe who is also the son of Oedipus has been given a decent burial. The offender is found to be his son’s betrothed, Antigone.

The city of Thebes has been struck by a plague and is in dire need of help. Only by identifying the killer of the King Laius will the plague end. Oedipus calls upon the blind prophet. Once again, a boy leads in Tiresias. The soothsayer is very hesitant to identify the killer for it is Oedipus himself who is the murderer and has brought the curse upon the city. When he does reveal the information, Oedipus, as Creon in the play before, becomes wildly angry. But Tiresias does not back down and gives him more information about his lineage. Oedipus heatedly refutes his words and attacks Tiresias’ credibility and calls him a