Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles

831 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Oedipus pride essay

It is said, “There is a fine line between arrogance and confidence.” As a leader or ruler those lines may be even more blurred than in regular society. In the plays Oedipus Rex and Antigone both written by Sophocles, Oedipus and Creon both have episodes of arrogance that take control of their judgment and become their downfall. However, it is not how they rule that is the problem, but rather how they deal with the adverse effects of the decisions after learning all of the facts. Moreover, their pride takes control of them consuming their emotions and not allowing them the necessary judgment needed to make better rational decisions. Merriam Webster’s Dictionary defines pride as: a feeling that you respect yourself and deserve to be respected by other people: a feeling that you are more important or better than other people (…), and defines arrogance as: exaggerating or disposed to exaggerate one's own worth or importance often by an overbearing manner: showing an offensive attitude of superiority: proceeding from or characterized by arrogance (…). As one can see the terms arrogance and pride are interchangeable much like Oedipus and Creon are in these two intertwined Greek tragedies. In the Bible it says “Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall” (prov. 16. 18). Pride being a character trait or a psychological trait is unclear to this writer. Although, one thing is clear Oedipus and Creon are two rulers that are unable to reach beyond their prideful limitations to make rational decisions for the good of their people, and is the ultimate demise of themselves, loved ones, and Thebes.
Oedipus the tyrannos known by this because he was considered a ruler for himself and not for his subjects. We are able to ...

... middle of paper ...

...as a dictator what is put forth is to be set in stone with no wavering for any sight of this shows weakness. In the examples of Oedipus and Creon neither were looking for the outcomes that ultimately prevailed. However, neither were able to see past the blinding characteristics of pride, arrogance, and anger that would see the demise of the loved ones that surround them as well as the fall from grace that both would endure.

Works Cited
"Arrogant." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
Mays, Kelly J. The Norton Introduction to Literature. 11th ed. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2013. Print.
Peterkin, L. Denis. "The Creon Of Sophocles." JSTOR. The University of Chicago Press, 2000-2013. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
"Pride." Merriam-Webster. Merriam-Webster, n.d. Web. 04 Nov. 2013.
"Proverbs 16 KJV." Proverbs 16:18 KJV. Bible Hub, 2012. Web. 01 Nov. 2013.

Show More
Related

  • Sophocles' Oedipus

    509 Words  | 2 Pages

    In Sophocles’ Oedipus The King, King Oedipus of Thebes is confronted. and strangely obsessed with the mystery of who killed Laios. former king of Thebes, for a great plague has overtaken the city of. Thebes because of this murder. During his quest for the truth, he begins to discover that the answer to his query is also the answer to another disturbing mystery about himself, who am I?

    Read More

  • Creon's Failure

    510 Words  | 2 Pages

    Many great rulers have been tempted by the authority of absolute power. In Antigone, by Sophocles, Creon, the Theban king, will do anything in order to earn this absolute power. Creon’s prideful attitude, disregard of the authority of the gods, and failure to listen cause him to fail as a statesman, demonstrating the nature of kingship in Sophocles’s Antigone.

    Read More

  • Antigone

    1762 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Norton Introduction to Literature. W.W. Norton and Company: 1998.

    Read More

  • Theme Analysis of Killings by Andre Dubus

    753 Words  | 2 Pages

    Meyer, Michael. The Bedford Introduction to Literature. Ed. 8th ed. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2008. 2189.

    Read More

  • Oedipus Cycle Analysis Of Creon As A Tragic Hero

    961 Words  | 2 Pages

    Creon’s declination begins in Oedipus at Colonus when his infatuation with power and control begins to arise, in turn bringing forth a rigid side to his character. The battle over the kingship of Thebes is a pivotal point in Creon’s development. He goes to drastic measures when threatening the lives of Oedipus’ daughters in order to bring him back to Thebes, and in conversation with Oedipus, Creon says, “Your daughters: one of them I have just now / Had seized and carried off; now I’ll take this one” (129). His forceful and domineering actions towards his brother-in-law begin to peel back the layers of his intentions. In Oedipus Rex, Creon did not want the throne, nor did he enjoy attention, but he now finds pleasure in being the head figure of leadership. The first signs of Creon’s craving for personal pleasures are unravelled as he begins to act under the influence of his Id, “a demand to take care of needs immediately” (Boeree). The animalistic tendencies, destructive nature, and amoral actions are all induced by the Id, and Creon unconsciously begins to tap into that part of his mind as he strives to gain power. All other emotions and opinions of others are disregarded and Creon makes it his goal to become king, seemingly stopping at nothing t...

    Read More

  • Antigone, by Sophocles

    857 Words  | 2 Pages

    In a democracy, people choose representatives to lead and govern them. However, these representatives might take unpopular steps. In such instances the people may show their disapproval of a policy and vent their grievances through acts of civil disobedience. Henry Thoreau said, “It is not desirable to cultivate a respect for the law, so much as for the right.” It is both the right and responsibility of a person to fight an unjust law, and civil disobedience allows one to convey his thoughts and ideas in a passive, nonviolent way. In Sophocles’ Antigone, written in 442 B.C., we find one of the earliest examples of civil disobedience. The play emphasizes the right of the individual to reject his government’s infringement on his freedom to perform a personal obligation and highlights the struggle that one faces in doing so. More importantly, it shows how such actions help further the cause of democracy. It strengthens the belief that each individual’s opinion is important in a democracy and makes a difference. Eventually, we see Creon realize his mistake – his stubbornness – which teaches him that he should have room for more than one opinion. Also, women at that time were not considered equal citizens, but Antigone’s actions left people to rethink the extent of the equality in Athenian democracy.

    Read More

  • Creon’s Leadership Essay

    640 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the story “Antigone”, Sophocles shows that Creon’s attitude is very angry, making everyone sees him as a tyrant more than as a king. His regard for the laws of the town causes him to abandon most viewpoints, like the laws of the gods, or the rights of the people. He believes that his subjects should obey the laws he has set in place, even if moral or religious beliefs contradict his laws and beliefs. Creon’s idea of a good leader is one who maintains order through violence and fear. More over his arrogant, power-seeking personality prevented him from seeking out advice or listening to his own people.

    Read More

  • The Arrogrance of Louis XIV and Creon

    863 Words  | 2 Pages

    Power- something so potent, yet so easy to misuse. Not everyone can obtain power, however those who possess it often acquire arrogance. Louis XIV held total control of France, abusing his dominance. Louis called himself ‘the Sun King’, believing that everything revolved around him. His pompousness led him to making foolish decisions, as he considered himself to be superior. If you don’t use your brain, you will ultimately lose it, as Louis was beheaded by the determined citizens of France. Likewise, in Antigone, King Creon is the ruler of Thebes. Creon makes an arbitrary ruling, swearing the ‘disloyal’ Polyneices should never be buried. When Antigone goes against this, Creon is infuriated. Creon lets his arrogance take over, and continuously makes unwise decisions. Power simply creates narcissism, as Creon’s pride causes him to commit foolish actions.

    Read More

  • Cathedral, by Raymond Carver

    1426 Words  | 3 Pages

    Carver, Raymond. Cathedral. “The Norton Introduction to Literature.” New York: W.W Norton &, 2014. Print.

    Read More

  • Who Was Responsible For Oedipus Downfall

    736 Words  | 2 Pages

    Hubris is defined as excessive, personal pride. As Oedipus is about to learn the devastating truth of his origin and destiny, the chorus observes “Audacity sires the tyrant…” Creon accuses Oedipus of being irrational, and for allowing his pride to lead him into a journey that will affect his life forever. The greeks held reason to be the greatest gift of man, therefore a tyrant’s actions should be governed by reason. Hubris was not the essential cause of Oedipus downfall because of Oedipus’ prophecy, and Religious Incest. Hubris was not the essential cause of Oedipus downfall because of Oedipus’ prophecy.

    Read More

  • Oedipus Rex, by Sophocles

    444 Words  | 1 Pages

    Another example of Oedipus’ presumptuous temperament is when he immediately assumes that Creon is trying to take his power from him. Creon sends Tiresias to Oedipus to help him solve the crime of the plague, and when Tiresias reveals that Oedipus must die in order to save the people of Thebes, Oedipus assumes Creon is trying to take his throne. Creon even tells Oedipus, “…if you think crude, mindless stubbornness such a gift, you’ve lost your sense of balance” (Meyer 1438). Oedipus’ impulsive nature leads him to discovering the truth and reveals that he has indeed fulfilled the prophecy he was running from.

    Read More

  • Antigone, by Sophocles

    546 Words  | 2 Pages

    In the play Antigone, by Sophocles, it is greatly apparent just within the first few exchanges between Ismene and Antigone that there are various social issues surrounding the women in ancient Greece. The play raises many gender and socially related issues especially when looking at the contextual background of the playwright and the representation of the women within the play. When the characters of the first scene begin their analog, it is important to note what they are actually saying about each other and what their knowledge of their own social status is. The audience is first introduced to Antigone who we later learn is the antagonist of the play as she rebels against the protagonist, Creon. Her sister, Ismene, is the second character the audience is introduced to, hears of Antigone's plan to bury their brother's body in the first scene. Ismene’s actions and words give the reader the hint that her sister’s behavior is not usual, "so fiery" and "so desperate" are the words used to describe Antigone's frame of mind. At this very early point in the play the reader discovers that Antigone is determined to carry out her mission to bury her beloved brother. However, she is in no position that gives her the rights as a woman, sister, or even future queen to make her own decisions and rebel. Instead, her decision to bury her brother demonstrates her loyalty to her family, the gods, and to all women. Her motivation for those decisions will end up driving her far more than that of what the laws set by Creon have implemented. She shows no fear over disobeying the king and later says about the punishment of death "I will lie with the one I love and loved by him"(Sophocles, 2). Throughout the play the reader can see the viewpoint of an obedient woman, a rebellious woman, and the social norms required for both of them.

    Read More

  • Antigone, by Sophocles

    1009 Words  | 3 Pages

    In Sophocles’ play, Antigone, the main character uses rhetoric to effectively persuade her audiences to sympathize with her. In the play, Antigone’s brother, Polyneices, dies a traitor to the Theban people. The king, Creon, decrees that no one is to bury the traitor despite the necessity of burial for proper passing into the afterlife. Believing that Creon’s decree is unjust, Antigone buries her brother. When she is brought to the king, Antigone uses this speech in defense of her actions. In the speech, she uses allusion, diction, and particular sentence structure to increase the effectiveness of her argument.

    Read More

  • Destiny, Free Will and Choice - The Power of Fate in Oedipus the King

    1069 Words  | 3 Pages

    Ehrenberg, Victor. "Fate and Sophoclean Rulers." In Twentieth Century Interpretations of Oedipus Rex, edited by Michael J. O'Brien. Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Prentice-Hall, Inc., 1968.

    Read More

  • Racial Disccrimination in a Raisin in the Sun

    858 Words  | 2 Pages

    Mays, Kelly J. The Norton Introduction to Literature. New York: W.W Norton &, 2012. Print.

    Read More

More about Oedipus Rex and Antigone by Sophocles

Open Document