Similarities Between Oedipus And Creon

The plays, Oedipus The King written by Sophocles and Heracles written by Euripides, feature a hero that unknowingly commit severe crimes. Oedipus the King unintentionally fulfills a prophecy given to his birth parents that states he will kill her father, King Laius and marry his mother, Jocasta. Heracles is tricked into becoming mad and accidently kills his children and wife. The tragic events change the heroes and are seen in each of the conclusions of the two plays. The endings of the plays differ in which characters such as Creon and Theseus believed differently about the fate of the different heros. Also, the endings are different in which the plays portray the heroes at the conclusion of the play Regardless of the endings, Oedipus is seen

One contrast between the two plays is how the supporting characters act towards the heros. For example, Creon, Oedipus’s brother in law, says to Oedipus, “That gift you must ask of the god.” (Sophocles 1517). This shows that Creon believes that Oedipus 's fate is in the hands of the gods and no one can change it. This is different from the play Heracles because the character, Theseus believes that Gods also commit sins and they do not answer for their crimes. He persuades Heracles to follow him to Athens where Theseus can help him relieve himself of guilt. Another contrast between the two plays conclusions is the way the play portrays the heroes. The chorus describes and comments upon the main action of a play and in the final scene, both of the choruses have an important role. In Oedipus The King, after oedipus has been exiled the chorus says, “Count no mortal happy till he has passed the final limit of his life secure from pain” (sophocles 1529-30). This shows in the final scene that Oedipus is seen as evil and not a hero. However, in the play Heracles, after heracles leaves the chorus says, “We go in pity, we go in tears. For we have lost our greatest friend.” (Euripides 1418-19). The chorus express an emotional response to their hero leaving which is different from how the chorus expresses its response to Oedipus being

Oedipus is seen to be more affected by the events that Heracles. One of the reason is that Oedipus focuses more on the victims of his actions rather himself. For example, Oedipus in the concluding scene emphasizes the impacts of his actions on his family and how they will overcome the burden of his actions. He says, “I weep for you- I cannot see your faces- I weep when i think of the bitterness there will be in your lives, how you must live before the world. At what assemblages of citizens will you attend? To what festivals you will go and not come home in tears instead sharing the holiday?” (Sophocles 1486-91). Heracles is aware of what he did to his family however he is more concerned about how he personally is affected by his actions. In attempt for Theseus to realize how his actions are affecting Heracles, he says, “Have you seen a man more ruined?” (Euripides 1220). Regardless, the shame Oedipus feels about his actions and how they affect his family are the reasons why he is more affected by the events than Heracles. In the plays, Heracles and Oedipus The King, the heroes are both changed by tragic experiences that they cause. However, Oedipus is more changed by the events than Heracles which is seen through the way he feels about his family and how this will affect them thus he punishes himself. Heracles is more concerned about himself and instead