Free Will In Oedipus

Before advancing to the throne, Oedipus had unknowingly killed Laius, his father and the king of Thebes. Shortly after killing the king, he married the dead king’s wife, his mother. He had committed incest by marrying and having children with his own mother. As a result he became father of Polyneices, Eteocles, Antigone, and Ismene. Oedipus stabs his eyes out and his sons, Polyneices and Eteocles killed themselves in combat, over the power of the throne. Creon was in the process of reconstructing Thebes from the ruins that his own family created. He also had to make a name for himself, after all the chaos the past rulers had made. If Creon did not set an example for civilians they would simply rebel. Creon was to stand firm by his word because no one is above the law, no matter who committed the act. In other words Creon was not a villain; he was the antagonist of Antigone. Imagine how biased Creon would appear to the Theban population if he did not pursue the punishment that he himself had instituted. In agreement to his law, Creon’s intentions were just. There’s no doubt about it, Creon’s law was harsh but when truly analyzing the situation, Polyneices was a traitor because he allied with other cities and attacked his homeland. Creon’s strong and steadfast attitudes were to support Thebes. But unfortunately, he was a little too late to understand that his fierce dedication to his decree was an error on his part.

Creon is s a loyal servant and friend, providing a voice of reason to Oedipus. Unfortunately for him, he becomes a sudden target of Oedipus’ blind anger and accusations. Creon points out many of the logical errors in Oedipus’ theories, and assures that“to reject a good friend is the same as throwing away one's dear life”(41).  Despite Creon’s word, the reassurances of the people of Thebes, and his wife’s

Creon, who depends on the government being obeyed, cannot think of a higher crime than anarchy. When learning how the two sons of Oedipus fought, one died fighting for his country, and the other who broke his exile and fought against his native city. Sickened by his doing, he wishes to lay with death as death has taken his family, but comfort in death will not come for him just yet, as he has to suffer through what he has done.

Oedipus puts the blame on Creon as he is impatient and frustrated over not being able to

In Oedipus the King, Creon is loyal to others. He is willingful to give himself up and help others. Oedipus asks Creon to go and find information regarding the plague that is impacting the city, and he does do this truthfully. He comes back and explains, “Banish the man … Murder sets the plague-storm on the city.” Creon describes how the killer of Laius must be brought to justice, in order to save the city. This scene shows his loyalty to his king through his truthful actions in telling Oedipus that he is the culprit. Creon doesn’t use lies to make it seem better and he genuinely wishes that Oedipus will realize the truth. Oedipus always utilizes honesty which is a very noble thing to do. Oedipus then accuses Creon of trying to take the throne. In lines 573-583, Creon accepts Oedipus’ claim but respectfully denies it, saying “I hear King Oedipus levels terrible charges at me… I resent it deeply.” He is noble and doesn’t retaliate; and instead he is understanding and loyal to the king. Creon also tries to explain and help Oedipus understand the truth saying, “Not if you see things calmly, rationally”. Finally, When Oedipus discovers the truth of his wrongdoing, Creon is there to comfort him saying in line 1558 he says, “I haven’t come to mock you, Oedipus, or to criticize your former failings…” Oedipus has accused him of outrageous things but Creon is still there to help him and also care for Oedipus’ children as they grow. Creon's actions of being loyal and helpful to others all exemplify his nobleness and selflessness as he only cares about the wellbeing of others.

With the cursed blood running through them, tragedy struck Oedipus’ two sons, both killed by each other’s hand. Antigone, his bride, is sentenced to a terrible fate she doesn’t deserve for burying her beloved brother Polyneices whom Creon proclaimed should not be buried. Haemon tries to change his bride's fate by persuading his father but instead Creon’s uncompromising, angry, and egotistical personality thwarts his plans and tragedy known all too well to their family strikes.

Oedipus Rex, a Greek tragedy written by Sophocles, narrates the story of a prideful ruler named Oedipus who is abandoned by his birth parents as an infant because he was prophesized to kill his father and marry his mother and fulfills the prophecy bestowed onto him by trying to escape it in migrating to Thebes, his birth place. Greek tragedies, such as Oedipus Rex, frequently incorporate the idea of fate versus free will, as Greek tradition holds that destiny is determined by gods, and depict the downfall of powerful individuals who attempted to go against the gods’ will. Fate is clearly dominant to free will in the course of events in Oedipus Rex, as evident by the manifestation of various prophecies throughout the course of events,

The Power of Fate and Freewill In Sophocles’ Oedipus the King, the theme of fate versus freewill is explored and the belief that fate will guide a man’s life despite his freewill is clearly shown. In the beginning of the play, the protagonist Oedipus is destined at birth to one day kill his father and marry his mother. This incriminating prophecy was met with efforts to hinder it from coming true however, as Greek ideology states; a prophecy is inevitable and no matter the efforts one’s free will might take to alter that, fate will always intervene. For instance, when Jacosta and Liaus learn of their son’s prophecy from the oracle of Apollo, in order to,” do away with it [and] escape a prophecy too horrible”, the couple decides to pierce his feet and

Allowing him to hug his daughters, and allowing the gods to decide his fate (1467-1482). This shows that Creon is a compassionate soul, able to forgive Oedipus for his vile slanders in lines

At first glance, it appears that Creon is totally responsible for the tragedy that befalls him and that Oedipus has

It all started when Oedipus chose not to blind himself, but instead to end his life then and there. He took the rope from Jocasta’s lifeless body and began to tie it around his own neck, but Creon, uninvited, barged in through the door and interrupted Oedipus’ suicide attempt. Oedipus, in tears, threatened to kill Creon if he came a step closer, so Creon stood back and did everything he could to convince Oedipus not to tighten the noose around his neck. The king stopped for a second, before telling Creon that he did not deserve to live after committing his horrific sins. Before he could continue, Creon assured him that if he prayed and repented to Apollo, both the gods and the people of Thebes would forgive him. This sparked a glimmer of hope in Oedipus, who finally came to his senses and cut the noose from his neck, thanking Creon. Afterwards, he headed straight to the temple of the sun god, where he prayed in secrecy until dawn.

Creon expresses deep feelings of regret that he should be thought hurtful to his fellowmen – a most charitable notion flowing from the heart of a truly upright

Creon threatened and tried to kidnap Oedipus with pride and anger controlling his actions. Because of that Creon doesn’t get Oedipus’ body and he makes an enemy of a very powerful city-state, Athens, against him. (Pages 93-105)

Oedipus and Creon are two new rulers that seek to establish their legitimacy to the authority of the Thebes’ throne. Oedipus sought to find approval

    From the beginning of this play, Oedipus made many risky actions that will take him to his downfall. Out of empathy for his suffering people, he had Creon go to Delph as he could have waited for the plague to end instead. "Upon the murderer I invoke this curse- whether he is one man and all unknown, or one of many- may he wear out his life in misery or doom! If with my knowledge he lives at my hearth, I pray that I myself may feel my curse.” (Sophocles, 477; lines 266-271) Other than just finding clues to the murderer of King Laius, Oedipus summons a terrible curse on them. Without knowledge of who it could be yet, he is actually putting the curse on himself. When Oedipus was told that he was responsible for the murder of Laius, he threatens Teiresias, becomes enraged, calls the old oracle a liar, and ignores everything the oracle says. “If a man walks with