Cecily Zamora
In Sophocles' tragedy, Oedipus Rex, the protagonist Oedipus is the son of King Laius and Queen Jocasta of Thebes. Unbeknownst to him, Oedipus fulfils a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, bringing disaster to his city and family. Following this tragic revelation, Jocasta hangs herself, and Oedipus blinds himself. Queen Jocasta's brother, Creon, is Oedipus' brother-in-law, and he plays a significant role in the narrative. Creon is Oedipus' trusted advisor, and his character undergoes a transformation throughout the plays, from a voice of reason in Oedipus the King to a ruthless leader in Antigone.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Creon |
| Relation to Oedipus | Brother-in-law and uncle |
| Role in plays | Voice of reason, protector of Oedipus, king of Thebes |
| Personality | Calm, sensible, responsible, overbearing, bureaucratic, manipulative, ruthless |
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What You'll Learn
Creon is Oedipus' brother-in-law, uncle and advisor
Creon is a prominent character in Sophocles' three Theban plays: 'Oedipus Rex', 'Oedipus at Colonus', and 'Antigone'. He is the brother of Queen Jocasta, Oedipus' wife and mother, which makes him Oedipus' brother-in-law and uncle.
Creon is a loyal advisor to Oedipus, the King of Thebes. When the city is plagued by infertility, Oedipus sends Creon to the Oracle at Delphi to seek guidance. Creon is also tasked with finding the blind prophet Tiresias, who is widely respected. In 'Oedipus Rex', Creon embodies the voice of reason, protecting Oedipus with gentle firmness.
In 'Oedipus at Colonus', Creon pursues the exiled Oedipus, who is wandering outside Athens. He asks Oedipus to return to bless his son, Eteocles, who is fighting his brother, Polynices, for power in Thebes. Angry at their negligence, Oedipus curses both his sons, condemning them to kill each other in battle.
Creon eventually becomes King of Thebes, banishing Oedipus and taking his place. Creon is a ruthless ruler, holding Antigone and Ismene hostage and threatening Theseus with war. He is an autocrat, identifying the power and dignity of the state with himself. Creon is responsible for Oedipus' exile, but later seeks to return the former king to Thebes to avoid a curse.
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Creon is the brother of Jocasta, Oedipus' wife and mother
Creon, the ruler of Thebes, is the brother of Jocasta, Oedipus' wife and mother. In Sophocles' plays, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus, and Antigone, Creon is a prominent character.
Creon is Jocasta's brother and, therefore, Antigone and Ismene's uncle. He is also the father of Haemon, who is betrothed to Antigone. Creon's wife is Eurydice, and they have four sons and three daughters.
Creon is Oedipus' brother-in-law, and the two men are very different characters in each of the plays. In Oedipus the King, Creon embodies reason and calm, protecting Oedipus with gentle firmness. However, in Oedipus at Colonus, Creon is manipulative and ruthless, holding Antigone and Ismene hostage and threatening Theseus with war.
Creon is also instrumental in the rise of Oedipus to the throne of Thebes. Creon, as the ruler of Thebes, offers the throne and the hand of his sister, Jocasta, to anyone who can free the city from the Sphinx. Oedipus solves the riddle, defeating the Sphinx, and marries Jocasta, unaware that she is his mother.
Creon's role continues as Oedipus comes closer to discovering the truth about Jocasta. When Oedipus learns that he has killed his father and married his mother, he requests to be exiled, and Creon grants his wish, taking the throne in his stead.
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Creon is King of Thebes and pursues Oedipus
Creon is the brother-in-law of Oedipus, married to his sister, Jocasta. Creon is also the ruler of Thebes, becoming king after Oedipus steps down.
Oedipus was a mythical Greek king of Thebes, a tragic hero in Greek mythology. He unwittingly fulfilled a prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother, bringing disaster to his city and family. This prophecy came about when King Laius of Thebes heard that his infant son would kill him. Laius pierced Oedipus's feet and left him to die, but a shepherd rescued him and took him away. Oedipus, unaware he was adopted, left home in fear of the prophecy that he would kill his father and marry his mother. As prophesied, Oedipus and Laius crossed paths, and Oedipus killed Laius in a fight. Oedipus then defeated the Sphinx by solving its riddle, becoming king and marrying the widowed Queen Jocasta, unaware that she was his mother.
Creon is introduced in Oedipus the King as a reasonable and calm figure, separate from the citizens of Thebes. He is the voice of reason in contrast to Oedipus's hot-headedness. However, by the end of the play, Creon's true intentions are revealed as he eagerly exiles Oedipus and separates him from his children, taking the throne in his stead. In Oedipus at Colonus, Creon pursues Oedipus, who has become a wanderer. In this play, Creon is portrayed as wily and manipulative, holding Antigone and Ismene hostage and threatening Theseus with war. He is described as a ruthless leader, impervious to the laws of the gods or humanity.
Creon's pursuit of Oedipus in Oedipus at Colonus can be seen as a continuation of his power-hungry nature, eager to capture the former king and solidify his own rule. Creon's character embodies the very real power of human law and the human need for an orderly, stable society. His constant presence in the plays and the crucial nature of his words cannot be dismissed, as he represents a flexible figure that poets can characterise as they please.
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Creon is responsible for Oedipus' exile
Creon, brother of Jocasta and Oedipus' brother-in-law, plays a significant role in the Oedipus Cycle plays, particularly in Oedipus' exile. In the first play, "Oedipus Rex," Creon serves as a joint ruler with Oedipus and Jocasta. However, as the play progresses, Creon's desire for power becomes evident, despite his initial claims to the contrary.
Creon's role in Oedipus' exile becomes clear after Oedipus discovers the truth about Jocasta, his wife and mother. Overwhelmed by the revelation, Jocasta hangs herself, and Oedipus blinds himself. In his grief, Oedipus requests to be exiled, and it is Creon who grants his wish, taking the throne of Thebes in his stead. This act of exiling Oedipus is a crucial turning point in the play and solidifies Creon's position as the new ruler.
Creon's true character is further revealed in "Oedipus at Colonus," where he pursues Oedipus and his daughter, Antigone, who have become wanderers. Creon's motivations are driven by his desire for power, and he goes to great lengths to capture Oedipus, even holding Antigone and her sister, Ismene, hostage. This ruthless and manipulative behaviour contrasts sharply with his earlier portrayal as a voice of reason and calm in "Oedipus Rex."
In the final play, "Antigone," Creon is firmly established as the ruler of Thebes. He displays his power by denying a burial to his dead son, Polynices, who waged war against Thebes. This act of denying burial rites is a significant show of Creon's authority and sets the tone for his rule. Ultimately, it is Creon's ambition and manipulation that lead to Oedipus' exile and his own rise to power, solidifying his responsibility for Oedipus' banishment.
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Creon is a voice of reason, unlike Oedipus
Creon, Oedipus' brother-in-law, is a character who appears in all three of Sophocles' Theban plays: 'Oedipus Rex', 'Oedipus at Colonus', and 'Antigone'. In the first of these plays, 'Oedipus Rex', Creon is often regarded as a voice of reason, in contrast to Oedipus, whose tragic flaw is his arrogance and impetuousness.
In 'Oedipus Rex', Creon is faced with accusations from Oedipus, who suspects him of conspiring with Tiresias to usurp the throne. Unlike Oedipus, Creon demonstrates restraint and eloquence in his defence, emphasising his loyalty to Thebes and his lack of desire for kingship. Creon's rationality, patience, and integrity shine through in his response, as he calmly explains his perspective on leadership and loyalty. This contrast between Oedipus' impulsiveness and Creon's calm reasoning adds depth to the exploration of leadership and power dynamics in the play.
Creon's initial portrayal in 'Oedipus Rex' is that of a pragmatic, cautious, and principled figure. He claims to be content with his role as an advisor and does not seek the crown, presenting himself as a stable and dependable character compared to Oedipus' impulsive nature. Creon's measured responses and rational nature position him as a more admirable and conscientious character in the eyes of the audience.
However, as the plays progress, Creon's character undergoes a transformation. In 'Oedipus at Colonus', he is depicted as wily and manipulative, willing to do anything to gain power. He holds Antigone and Ismene hostage and threatens Theseus with war, demonstrating a ruthless pursuit of power. By the time he becomes the king of Thebes in 'Antigone', Creon has lost the audience's sympathy, ruling with a stubborn blindness similar to Oedipus' rule.
In conclusion, Creon initially serves as a voice of reason in 'Oedipus Rex', contrasting Oedipus' tragic flaws. However, as the trilogy progresses, Creon's character evolves, and he eventually falls prey to the same power dynamics and flaws that characterised Oedipus' rule.
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Frequently asked questions
Creon is Oedipus' brother-in-law. He is also the uncle of Polynices, Antigone, and Ismene.
Creon is the brother of Jocasta, Oedipus' wife and mother.
Creon is the trusted advisor of Oedipus and the second-in-command in Thebes. He is the voice of reason and law and is responsible for Oedipus' exile.
In "Oedipus the King," Creon embodies the voice of reason and protects Oedipus. In "Oedipus at Colonus," he is manipulative and holds Antigone and Ismene hostage. In "Antigone," Creon rules Thebes with a stubborn blindness.
