Oedipus the King | Sample Answer

2008 Higher Level Exam Question

Analyse the relationship between Oedipus and Creon in ‘Oedipus the King’.

At the beginning of the play Oedipus and Creon have a strong and trusting relationship. It is clear that Oedipus has an abundance of faith in his brother in law because it was he whom Oedipus sent to the oracle at Delphi to find out how to end the plague. “I sent Creon, my wife’s own brother, to Delphi.” This clearly shows that Oedipus has put a lot of trust in Creon, which means they have a good relationship.

Oedipus also greets Creon very affectionately which means he care about Creon too. “Creon, my prince, my kinsman.” These terms of endearment make it obvious that both men are on good terms with eachother at the beginning of the plays. Things start to shift when Creon informs Oedipus of what they must do to stop the raging plague. Creon’s answers set the whole play in motion.

Under Creon’s advice, Oedipus orders the king prophet Tiresias to help them find the answer to the murderer of Laius which will in turn end the plague this encounter does not go at all how anybody hoped it would. Tiresias knows that Oedipus is the killer of the former king. When he is forced to tell Oedipus the truth, he becomes violent and irrational. He begins to threaten the poor blind prophet. Oedipus accuses him of wanting the crown and overthrowing his rule. “What envy lurks inside you?” Oedipus is acting childish and foolish by insulting a pious man. He even goes as far as to accuse Creon, his own brother, of aiding Tiresias in this scheme. This accusation negatively affects the relationship between the two.

Oedipus has absolutely no evidence but yet, he still wants to believe that Creon and Tiresias are lying to him and plotting against him. As the scene escalates further, Oedipus begins to act disappointed in Creon as though he has actually been proved guilty of what Oedipus thinks he has done. “Creon, the soul of my trust my loyal friend from the start steals against me.” By saying this, Oedipus is doubting Creon, and all the faith he has put in him over the years. This affects their relationship badly as he knows he has done nothing wrong to Oedipus.

Creon quickly tries to defend himself telling Oedipus that he would never betray him. He would rather die than be known as a traitor in the eyes of his king and brother. “If you detect that I and the clairvoyant have plotted anything in common arrest me execute me.” This line shows how Oedipus the King | Sample Answer 1 strong Creon’s loyalty is to Oedipus. Creon would rather be I prisoner or killed than have Oedipus think he betrayed him.

It is clear that Oedipus and Creon are very different character. Creon has very high moral values and principles such as justice truth and above all loyalty. Creon is a very straightforward person to Oedipus. When Creon has been accused of wanting to take Oedipus’ power he is very quick to defend himself and he tells Oedipus that he doesn’t want to be king because it is too difficult and stressful. He is always open and honest with Oedipus especially when he is jumping to conclusions such as these.

Oedipus on the other hand is more irrational and quick tempered. It was so easy for Tiresias to wind Oedipus up and make him angry. It was also only a split second before he was throwing insults at the prophet and Creon when he found out that he himself was the killer of the former king. He has little to no information and still made outrageous accusations. Creon would never do it’s. He would need all the information first before making an accusation or before jumping to conclusions.

Both men have very different personalities and it is clear that they come into conflict throughout the play and throughout their interactions with each other. Their relationship seems to be good for the most part but fraught at times as well.

Oedipus the King | Sample Answer 2