Key Aspects of Kreon as a Character within Sophocles' Oedipus Rex
In the tragedy Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, the title character and protagonist Oedipus, who is King of Thebes when the play opens, is a very different kind of character, especially in terms of presence; temperament, and developmental than is his brother-in-law and (as it turns out) successor to the throne of Thebes, the quieter and more diffident Kreon. For example, while Oedipus struts around the stage, full of pride; self-pity, and self-importance, Kreon is tentative; unassuming, and quite retiring by comparison. Further, Oedipus is hot-tempered and easily offended. Kreon is calm and even-tempered. Kreon respects the gods as being wiser than him; therefore he takes nothing personally since what happens is the will of the gods. Oedipus takes everything personally and is bellicose when fate turns against him. Oedipus therefore repeatedly offends the gods, while Kreon repeatedly respects them. Oedipus and Kreon are therefore (at least in Oedipus Rex, if not so much in other tragedies) extremely distinct. Kreon is a round, evolving character who grows in depth and wisdom while Oedipus, despite his apparent kingly dominance, is a relatively flat, static character. Oedipus behaves cavalierly, if not disrespectfully tow
Kreon is all in all about as distinct as possible as a character from Oedipus. As he waits for Kreon to appear, Oedipus asks himself (line 1554), "How can I ever hope to win his trust?" But when Kreon appears from the Palace, his first words are meant to reassure Oedipus that he has come neither to mock Oedipus nor "criticize your former failings" (lines 1557-8). But Oedipus's suspicions of Kreon is laid to rest only when Oedipus himself at last becomes convinced of the truth of Tiresias's awful prophecy. After Oedipus first speaks with Tiresias, he concludes that Tiresias and Kreon must have conspired together against him to oust him from the throne so Kreon can inherit Thebes. Although Kreon eventually develops into a more complex, wrathful character in two later tragedies by Sophocles (Antigone and Oedipus at Colonus) Kreon here is calm, reasonable, matter-of-fact, and uninterested in becoming King. Then, having blinded himself in shock and despair, Oedipus next asks to have Kreon come to him. It is clear, in that line, that Kreon, after taking the throne, is neither vengeful toward Oedipus nor eager to punish Oedipus for having suspected him of conspiracy with Tiresias. " Kreon's own motives in the play revolve around finding the truth and acknowledging what fate has in store. Kreon, on the other hand, with his quiet strength and respectful treatment of the gods in particular (especially in contrast to Oedipus's arrogance toward them) steadily gains both greater stature and increased self-confidence as the action of the play continues; while Oedipus (especially as he realizes, little by little, the horrible truth of prophesy by Tiresias) at the same time decreases in royal stature and by the end loses not just his original arrogance, but all of his former kingly presence and self-confidence as well. Also, Kreon has not coveted power; yet once power becomes his, by default, Kreon nevertheless rises steadily to the occasion. Oedipus struts and prances about onstage; Kreon simply walks onstage (and/or stands still and listens to others, especially Oedipus). Kreon, at least at this point, does not want to be King, while Oedipus himself obviously revels in that role. Oedipus then requests to be driven from Thebes, but Kreon, never eager to be King or to exercise power, assures Oedipus he has done so, but only after consulting with the gods (line 1574). , to find a way to heal Thebes single-handedly and get full public credit (and adoration) for it.
Common topics in this essay:
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King Thebes,
Oedipus Rex,
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Thebes Kreon's,
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kreon's own motives,
thebes kreon's own,
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Acceptance Essays
