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Oedipus Great Leader

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The Makings of Great and Terrible Leaders During these tough political times in America the question of what makes a leader great or terrible has been the topic of discussion for numerous people. This question, however, has been around for centuries. The Three Theban Plays by Sophocles features a play called Oedipus at Colonus in which Sophocles looks at that question and introduces several types of leaders to help readers conclude what makes a leader great or terrible. In the play, Oedipus arrives on holy ground on the outskirts of Athens with his daughter Antigone. What follows is a battle for where his body will be buried. Traits of a great leader can be seen in Theseus while traits of a bad leader can be found in Creon. Theseus is the king of Colonus, the place where Oedipus has arrived with his daughter Antigone. He is summoned because Oedipus and his daughter are standing on holy ground that is sacred to the Eumenides. One trait that makes Theseus a great leader is his kindness. This kindness can be seen when he says,
“In the old days I often heard your legend, the bloody mutilation of your eyes. I know all about you, son of Laius…Tell me all. Your story, your fortunes would have to be grim indeed to make me turn my back on you. I too, remember well, was reared in exile just like you, and in strange lands, like no man …show more content…

In Antigone Creon lacks sympathy for his family. After the death of his nephew Polynices, Creon issues a decree to his people that states that Polynice “...must be left unburied, his corpse carrion for the birds and dogs to tear, an obscenity for the citizens to behold! – These are my principles” (68). In releasing this decree Creon is going against the beliefs and wishes of his people regarding burial rights and enforces it with threats of

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