Creon and Oedipus Essay

Oedipus the King, the sad fighter aircraft is most certainly Oedipus. Oedipus, first of all, is a good man. When he declares, My warmness grieves for the city (l 75-76), he shows a deep passion. His sympathy for his hoi polloi and his commit to be their savior, he earns the respect and love of the state.The respect of the people is important in creating the tragic effect that comes with a tragic heros downfall, and Sophocles utilizes this by means of giving Oedipus human qualities and a tragic flaw. Passionate, yet dour. In this case of his tragic flaw, his lack of k straight offledge of his true identity is coupled with the peoples awareness of his fate.Then, when Oedipus finds himself in the dilemma after talking to Tiresias, the people feel his pain and are afraid for his life, knowing that nothing he does can prevent the tragedy from occurring. When Oedipus finally falls from the throne, he doesnt kill himself, rather he gouges out his eyes. The symbolic blinding of Oed ipus suggests that he has experienced renewal and sees the truth. Antigone, the first part of the Oedipus Trilogy, also depicts the theme of a tragic hero.Through the character of Creon, Sophocles greatly conveys the essential elements of a tragic hero. Creon is, first, king of Thebes, this illustrating his high differentiate, but he more importantly shows characteristics of grandeur and virtue. In mentioning the Chorus, he announces that, These are my principles. Never at my hands impart the traitor be honored above the patriot. But whoever proves his loyalty to the state Ill prize that man in death as thoroughly as life (l -5). Creon puts his country above all else, and for this, he shows characteristics of a tragic hero and nobility. His imperfection is later shown in his pride. After Tiresias warns him of his transgressions, Creon declares, Its a dreadful thing to yieldbut resist now? Lay my pride bare to the blows of ruin? Thats dreadful as well as (l 11-11).His unwillingn ess to let go of his pride for the gods shows his main tragic flaw, and with it brings his only(a) downfall. Creons fall is not a total loss, and he finds a sense of awareness and self-knowledgment. He says, Ohhh, so senseless, so insanemy crimes, my stubbornOh Ivelearned through blood and tears (l 1-1404). Creon reaches a point, from which the people also learns. By expressing nobility, downfall through flaw, Creon undoubtedly serves as a perfect example of the tragic heros essence.