Oedipus And Creon Character Analysis

Throughout history, there are many leaders worldwide. Some are leaders of small organizations, and others of a whole country. There are fantastic leaders, and then there are substandard ones. Today's leaders and the future’s must learn from the previous leader’s mistakes to make their rule even better. There are many qualities a leader must obtain to be respected. In Oedipus and Antigone, Oedipus and Creon, who are both kings from the play, rules with distinct leadership traits. Some are effective and somewhere are not. Unfortunately, they both have ineffective traits that brings their downfall. Based on Henry S. Givray's, 12 Distinguishing Qualities that Define True Leaders, Oedipus and Creon both share the same traits of determination and

loyalty, but differentiate in the traits of serving others and self awareness. (or this: these are traits that apply to Oedipus, Creon, or both, and if they were effective or ineffective.)
A good leader should be determined to get problems and situations solved. Henry S. Givray says, “If they don't solve problems right away, they can become cancerous” (Givray). This can be shown through both stories. In Oedipus, Oedipus says, “I’ll find the hand that brought Death to Labdakos’ and Polydoros’ child…” (Sophocles, "Oedipus" 73). The city is in anguish from the plague. During this time of the play, people believe that a famine or plague means that they displeased the gods. Oedipus is first determined to find out what they did wrong, and then determined to find out that the killer of Laius must be found. If he does not try to solve the problem right away, the city will continue to suffer from the plague that has taken over them. In Antigone, Creon says, “...if you fail to produce the criminals for me, you'll swear your dirty money brought you pain” (Sophocles, "Antigone" 26). Here, Creon is insistent to find the person who buried Polyneices after he made a decree that whoever would try to bury him would be killed. If Creon does not try to solve this problem, the people will see that he does not live up to his words. By finding and punishing the criminal, it will be an example to the people to not mess with his laws. Both Oedipus and Creon were set on finding the source of their problem.
Another trait of a leader Oedipus and Creon both share is loyalty.

A leader must be loyal and trusting to their followers or they are no leader at all. “Trust is foundational to building strong relationships and achieving results” (Givray). In the beginning of both of the plays, Oedipus and Creon reassure the people that everything will be okay. It can be seen that both kings care for the city they rule. For example, in the beginning of Oedipus, Oedipus says, “You shall see how I stand by you, as I should, To avenge the city and the city’s god, And not as though it were for some distant friend...” (Sophocles, "Oedipus" 71). Oedipus will do anything to rid his city from suffering. He tells the people of Thebes not to worry, and that he is their friend and hero that will save them. Oedipus says he will get rid of everything that is harming the city. In Antigone, Creon says to the Chorus, “I could never stand by silent, watching destruction march against our city…” (Sophocles, "Antigone" 22). Creon wants to protect his city. He says it would hurt him to see devastation upon the city while he is in control. Creon tells the Chorus that he would never be able to stay still if the city was ever in trouble. He is giving the Chorus confidence that he is the leader they want to rule over them. Creon is making them trust in him and showing that he is a loyal king who cares. In conclusion, both Oedipus and Creon both have the leadership traits of

loyalty.
Even with these similarities, Oedipus and Creon also differ in certain leadership qualities.

Oedipus has the leadership quality of serving others. “...Service to others is the highest honor and greatest obligation of a true leader” (Givray 2). The whole point of being a leader is to lead over the people. Everything a leader does should be for the greater good. Oedipus puts the people’s needs before his. An example from the story is, “My spirit groans for the city and myself and you at once” (Sophocles, "Oedipus" 70). Oedipus listens to the needs of the people and makes a decision based on that. However, Creon is not like this. He is more private and does not make decisions based on what they people think. In the story of Antigone, Creon usually only speaks to the Chorus, whereas Oedipus spoke to all the people that were there. Creon does what he thinks is right. Creon’s leadership quality that Oedipus does not have is that he possesses self-awareness. Self-awareness means knowing your own motives. (quote where creon says he has to kill antigone as an example). He is aware that he can save Antigone, his son’s fiancé. However, he needs to kill her so the people will know that he is serious, or else the city will not take him seriously when he gives special treatment out. These are traits that distinguish Oedipus and

Creon.
Each of these traits are important. Some are effective while others are ineffective. Determination in this story is an ineffective trait. Oedipus and Creon are able to find the cause of their problems by being determined. However, it both leads to their downfall because they ended up somehow being part of it. They both lost something they held precious. Oedipus lost his wife and mother, Jocasta. She even warns him earlier to stop prying for answers and leaves angry saying that he will never find out the truth. When she dies, Oedipus punishes himself by gouging his eyes out and by exiling himself. Creon lost his son and wife because they killed themselves. Haemon, his son, killed himself because his fiancé, Antigone, killed herself. Creon’s wife killed herself because she was extremely upset about hearing the death of her son. (54-55). He realizes that it was his fault that they all died, and that if he just buried Polynices or let Antigone free, he would still have his family. Creon makes the decision that he should be sent away. This is all caused because of the two king’s determination. The second trait is loyalty, which is an effective trait. By being loyal to the city people respects and trusts Oedipus and Creon. In the beginning of Oedipus, the Chorus is on Oedipus’ side and believes that Teiresias, the blind prophet is a liar. In the beginning of Antigone, the Chorus’ faith for Creon grows when he says his speech that he will never let terrible things happen to the city. Also, the Chorus is able to believe that Creon follows the rules of the gods because Creon is showing his loyalty. The next way a person can be a good leader is by serving the people and this is an effective trait in Oedipus. By serving the people, the people…… (add) The last trait is self awareness, and this is ineffective for Creon. Creon knows what he is thinking and knows that Antigone will die if he puts her in a confined area with little food. Unfortunately, Antigone kills herself and that leads to the death of Creon’s son and wife. He lost everything. Therefore, self awareness for Creon was not an effective trait for him.
Throughout both stories, readers can see how these two kings had similarities and differences. Oedipus and Creon are both determined and loyal. Being determined does not help either of them, but being loyal did. Oedipus also serves the people, whereas Creon does everything by himself. Serving others helped Oedipus to gain trust from his people. Creon’s trait that Oedipus does not have is self awareness. However, this does not help him because he ends up losing everyone he holds close to his heart. Although, Oedipus and Creon had similar and different leadership traits, some helps them and others do not.