Leadership Quality of Oedipus and Kreon

The Leadership Qualities of Oedipus and Kreon Having leadership qualities means having charisma, resolves and protecting your citizens from any aspects that can come to harm them. The playwright portrays Oedipus as the King who cares for his people above all else and Kreon as a royalty, who attends only to hedonic lifestyle. In the citizen’s eyes, Oedipus is seen as a good leader. He demonstrates great leadership through several events. When the Oedipus learned of the plague, he “sent away [his] brother-in-law, son of Menoeceus, Kreon, to Pythian Apollo’s shrine” to hear from Apollo on “what [he] might do or say to save our city.” He notified the people that he understands their pain and suffering for the “soul inside [him] sorrows for [himself] and for the city, and for [the people]—all together”. Oedipus demonstrates more leadership qualities by being honest, truthful and determined to his people. As Kreon brings good news back from the oracle, he tells Oedipus “if [he] wish to hear the news in public” that he is “prepared to speak”. Instead of “[stepping] inside” to hear the news, Oedipus told Kreon to announce the news in front of the people, indicating to his people that he has nothing to hide. As Kreon tells the people that the only way to get rid of the plague is to find the sources of the former King Laius’ murderer and to punish that person by execution or exile. As Oedipus questions Kreon on who, when, where, why & how Laius was killed, he will remove “this polluting stain”, “not for some distant friend, but for [himself]”. By asking specific questions, Oedipus display great intellects and determination to find the source as quickly as possible. As Kreon finish his announcement, Oedipus immediately seeks out to unravel the murderer of the former King. All of these qualities are expected in a leader, like Oedipus, but is hard to find in Kreon.
In contrast, Kreon, unlike Oedipus, is portrayed as a poor leader with qualities which makes