Preview

Oedipus Creon Quotes

Good Essays
Open Document
Open Document
444 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Oedipus Creon Quotes
In the play OEDIPUS THE KING BY SOPHOCLES, Oedipus is almost dependent on his brother in-law and fellow ruler Creon. “O King Apollo! May Creon bring us good fortune and rescue, bright as the expression I see on his face” (SOPHOCLES 8). This quote demonstrates the truth that Oedipus is mostly dependent on Creon. He sends Creon to seek answer from the God Apollo, to find answers to the death of the city Thebes. Oedipus’s reliance on Creon for answers emphasizes both his blindness, impotence, and lack of strength that a king should pose. Oedipus lacks self-reliance and serves as a character who suffers a terrible faith. “Is that what you say? I charge you now to carry out the articles of the proclamation you made. From now on do not presume to speak to me or to any of these people. You are the murderer; you are the unholy defilement of this land” (SOPHOCLES 21). This quote emphasizes on the idea that no matter how much Oedipus kept the secret from others, he was destined to live and suffer the outcomes of his fate. …show more content…
“You live your life in one continuous night of darkness. Neither I nor any other man that can see would do you any harm” (SOPHOCLES 23). This quote demonstrates the use of Oedipus power; He curses Thresias moments after he was accused of the murder of Laius the king and the cause of the terrible curse that fell on Thebes. Oedipus does not take responsibility for his action, He’s a narcissist. “Was it Creon, or you, that invented this story?” (SOPHOCLES 23). The quote illustrates how Oedipus is slowly trying to shift his guilt and blames onto Creon for revealing the truth about death of Laius the
Continue Reading
View Writing Issues

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Comparing Creon In Oedipus The King And Antigone
    • 376 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Comparing Creon In Oedipus The King And Antigone

    In Oedipus the King, Creon is second in command of Thebes, which allows him to be sensible and logical because of a lack of stress and demand from being king. Throughout Oedipus the King, Creon exemplifies the voice of reason. When he comes back from the Oracle, Creon suggests that Oedipus hear the report alone because he is unsure of Oedipus…

    • 376 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Oedipus The King Rhetorical Analysis
    • 90 Words
    • 1 Page

    Oedipus The King Rhetorical Analysis

    Consequently, Oedipus can no longer be called a tyrant, let alone a king, after being humiliated in this way, unable to see or even walk without assistance. His attitude toward Creon also seems dramatically altered when the new king approaches Oedipus, who implores the audience: "Oh no, what can I say to him? How can I ever hope to win his trust? I wronged him so, just now, in every way. You must see that-I was so wrong, so wrong". In this way, Oedipus, who greatly humbles himself before Creon…

    • 90 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Rex Versus Antigone Essay Example
    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Oedipus Rex Versus Antigone Essay Example

    In Oedipus Rex the character of Creon serves as a foil to Oedipus. Creon is portrayed as a rational, ethical, and dutiful leader who represents the need for a stable society. All the while Oedipus is portrayed as a rash, unreasonable, and overly confident king, who is constantly trying to keep up with his unavoidable fate. Creon shows his rationality when he replies to a question Oedipus asks by stating, "I don't know. And when I don't, I keep quiet" (line 635 page 670). This shows Creon's non-judgmental character and his desire to be just as a ruler. Creon also demonstrates that he is an ethical leader when he says, "Look, if you think crude, mindless stubbornness such a gift, you've lost your sense of balance" (line 615-616 page 669). Creon states this to Oedipus when Oedipus accuses Creon of being a traitor. Creon remains detached and does not over react to Oedipus's emotional outburst while and we get another glimpse of Oedipus's impetuous nature. Creon lastly shows his dutiful personality when he boldly states to Oedipus "Who in his right mind would rather rule and live in anxiety than sleep in peace?" (Line 654-655 page 670). This shows that Creon is an honorable man who follows his destiny to rule. This also once again points out Oedipus's flawed perspective.…

    • 547 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Antigone And Oedipus Comparison Essay
    • 864 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Antigone And Oedipus Comparison Essay

    Creon had to face his niece, son and wife all dead as a catastrophe at the end of the story for enforcing the laws of execution upon Antigone. “O horrible… Is there no sword for me, To end this mister?” (Sophocles 16) This quote represent great magnitude and the result after the catastrophe of the death of his son and wife. It shows the feelings of Creon and how terrible he felt, to the point where he felt to commit suicide. Oedipus faced catastrophe but did not face the same amount of magnitude as Creon. Oedipus tried his best to avoid outcome of the prophet and tried to escape his fate my leaving his city, little did he know that they man he killed as the crossroads was his father. “At last the whole, terrible truth had come out. All the oracles had been right: Laius had been murdered by his own son.” (Bennet 2) When he found this out, they also realized that his wife was actually his mother causing her to kill herself. The catastrophe is really tragic though he abandons his kids and Creon faced greater…

    • 864 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    My Kinsman Creon Character Analysis
    • 961 Words
    • 4 Pages

    My Kinsman Creon Character Analysis

    Born with a prophecy claiming he would one day kill his father and marry his mother, King Oedipus is immediately set up for failure. However, this does by no means make him an incompetent ruler. Quite the opposite in fact. Oedipus proves to be a man renowned for his intellect which is exemplified when he solves the riddle of the sphinx, a supernatural mythological being who held the city of Thebes captive. Furthermore, his is a man of swift action and great insight. This is perhaps best represented with his response to the priest’s complaint, he responds adeptly, “But I have not been idle; one thing I have already done – The only thing that promised hope. My kinsman Creon… has been sent to the Pythian house of Apollo.” Oedipus is indeed one that is faithful and compassionate to his people, this is further exemplified as he orders Creon to…

    • 961 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Free Will In Oedipus Rex
    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Free Will In Oedipus Rex

    One of the powerful relationships that continuously develops throughout the play is that of Oedipus and Creon. This relationship begins when Oedipus becomes king and shares his power equally between his wife/mother, Jocasta, and Jocasta’s brother Creon. The conflict emerges between Oedipus and Creon when Oedipus brings in Tiresias to assist him in finding the murderer of Laius, and Tiresias tells Oedipus that it was in fact he (Oedipus) who killed Laius. One of Oedipus’s reactions towards what Tiresias tells him is that he says, “Creon! Is this his conspiracy his or yours?” (Sophocles, Ln. 431) Oedipus’s jump to reach this conclusion of blaming Creon, is what causes their relationship to deteriorate and is the reason that later on in the play, Creon and Oedipus get into a fight about this accusation. Once Oedipus has blinded himself, he actually begs for Creon’s forgiveness, for Creon to exile him and for Creon to take care of his two young daughters, Antigone and Ismene. “Drive me out of the land at once, far from sight, where I can never hear a human voice.” (Sophocles, Ln. 1571-1572) This is probably the most emotional relationship in the play, and it is a perfect example of why all people enjoy this play. Relationships such as this one have helped Sophocles’s play tremendously with regards to it being one of the most…

    • 1231 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Rex Vs. Paranoid Android
    • 693 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Oedipus Rex Vs. Paranoid Android

    Provoked by the anger and insults of Oedipus, Tiresias begins to hint at his knowledge. Finally, when Oedipus furiously accuses Tiresias of the murder, Tiresias tells Oedipus that Oedipus himself is the curse. Oedipus dares Tiresias to say it again, and so Tiresias calls Oedipus the murderer. Tiresis states,” Thou seekest, and thou art, the murder! I tell thee, with thy dearest, knowing nought, Thous liv’st in shame, seeing not thine own ill” and Oedipus responds, “Tis strong enough for all, but not for thee. Blind eyes, blind ears, blind heart, thous hast it not.” (lines 392-401) Oedipus criticizes Tiresias’s powers wildly and insults his blindness, but Tiresias only responds that the insults will eventually be turned on Oedipus by all of Thebes. Driven into a fury by the accusation, Oedipus proceeds to make up a story that Creon and Tiresias are conspiring to overthrow him and continues to completely ignore the truth that he is a murderer and pillows with his mother. In comparison, the following lyrics from Radioheads’ “Paranoid Android” coincide with the example of Oedipus…

    • 693 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Vs Creon Essay
    • 856 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Oedipus Vs Creon Essay

    In Ancient Thebes Oedipus and Creon are both appointed to be kings of Thebes at two different times. These men were both once great and highly respected rulers, but both make mistakes that cause them to have tragedy in their life. These leaders both contributed to the unfortunate events in their lives, but one of them for the disasters that meet them. Oedipus is more responsible than Creon for the tragedies in his life because of his quick temper, poor judgment, and his imperiousness that leads to destruction.…

    • 856 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Analytical Essay Example: Oedipus the King
    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Analytical Essay Example: Oedipus the King

    In the opening of Oedipus the King, Oedipus is portrayed as a caring and compassionate person. He seemed to be very concerned that the people of Thebes are suffering and wanted to find out why and how to fix as fast as possible. He declared that he would fix the problem regardless of what or who it was. However, within that same scene when Creon came back with the reasoning behind the suffering, it became more obvious that Oedipus was more arrogant than he was caring. He felt as though he could fix everything regardless of what it was. He was so confident that he could that even when Creon tried to tell him that it was best to discuss the problem in private, he insisted that it be told publicly in front of all the citizens of Thebes. Even after it was told what the problem was, he still felt as though it could solve the problem. His arrogance shows again when Tiresias tells him that he was the murderer. Instead of asking why Tiresias thought this, he immediately began to criticize and insult him. He also began to accuse Tiresias of conspiring with Creon to overthrow him. Although we know the truth now, at that time Tiresias could very well have just been telling him that something he did indirectly caused the death of Laius. Instead of trying to find out why Tiresias thinks he is the murderer, Oedipus immediately decides to doubt the powers of the prophet that he and all the other citizens have always believed.…

    • 651 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Self-Binding In Oedipus The King
    • 952 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Self-Binding In Oedipus The King

    Originally, this is introduced in the conversation with Tiresias where Oedipus, having no idea that he is the center of all this disarray, believes that he is just a king that simply wants to avenge the previous king. Tiresias begins by refusing to “reveal my dreadful secrets, or rather, yours” (21) and goes on to the point of depleting the patience of Oedipus. This leads to Oedipus beginning to suspect whether or not his life was a complete lie. In the beginning, Oedipus claims that he is the one who can see while all others are blind. However, after one defining moment, it dawns on Oedipus that he himself was blind the entire time and that he is not who he thinks he is. Wanting to free himself from this blindness, Oedipus searches only to find the horrifying truth - the prophecy already occurred. In shock, Oedipus reveals to all that he was “born in shame, married in shame, and an unnatural murderer.” (89). Realizing that everything actually revolved around him, he exiles himself in “honor” of the curse he put up on the murderer saying to Creon to “take me away from here at once” (107). If Oedipus was not genuine, then he could have easily disregarded the curse he put up and continued to rule as king. Instead, Oedipus lives up to his code and accepts his…

    • 952 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Oedipus Rex: Displaying Pride with+- Dramatic Irony
    • 608 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Oedipus Rex: Displaying Pride with+- Dramatic Irony

    At the beginning of Oedipus’ reign, dramatic irony is shown when he addresses Thebes, and the chorus about finding the murder of the former king Laios. Oedipus states “If any man knows by whose hand Laios, son of Labdakos, met his death, I direct that man to tell me everything”(Sophocles 13). Oedipus shows that he does not know who the actual murderer of Laios is, which in fact, is himself, while the audience knows all along that he is the killer. Earlier in scene one, The Chorus is praying to the gods for relief from the plague and Oedipus states “Is this your prayer? It may be answered. Come, listen to me, act as the crisis demands and you shall have relief from all these evils” (12). Oedipus acts as if he is a god, or can speak for the gods, which shows his pride even more.…

    • 608 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Better Essays

    Oedipus Tragic Hero
    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Oedipus Tragic Hero

    Oedipus is very much an angry person. Oedipus, at first, is kind to the prophet Tiresias. When Tiresias does not immediately fulfill Oedipus' desire for knowledge regarding the death and killer of Laisu, however, Oedipus quickly changes. He says to Tiresias, "What, nothing? You miserable old man! You'd drive a stone to fury. Do you still refuse? Your flinty heart set in hopeless stubbornness" (19)? This is the beginning of Oedipus' expression of anger. When he wants something, he wants it immediately and without flaw, else he is quickly infuriated. It is ironic, then, that his disapproval of flaw in one's actions is his own tragic flaw. Later, Oedipus accuses Creon of murdering Laius. Creon says that Oedipus is not thinking clearly; and he inquires as to why Oedipus thinks he is not thinking clearly enough. To which Oedipus says, "What! For a treason-monger" (35)? This shows that Oedipus' anger and frustration with Creon makes him unable to see things justly. To Oedipus, since he said that Creon killed Laius, it must be so. The greatest display of Oedipus' hamartia comes in his recollection of the day he killed Laius. He says, "The leading groom - the old man urging him - tried to force me off the road. The groom jostled me and I in fury landed him a blow. [...] He more than paid for it. For in a trice this hand of mine had felled him with a stick and rolled him from…

    • 863 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Better Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Teiresias In Sophocles Oedipus The King
    • 595 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Teiresias In Sophocles Oedipus The King

    I own no lord but Loxias; him I serve And ne’er can stand enrolled as Creon’s man” (Sophocles 9). Which is Teiresias saying he only has one lord and would never work for Creon. But Oedipus leaves Teiresias and goes to Creon. Out of anger and not being level headed or even processing what just happened, Oedipus goes up to Creon and says “Dost thou presume To approach my doors, thou brazen-faced rogue, My murderer and the filcher of my crown” ( Sophocles 11)? Creon pleads to be innocent but Oedipus just replies with “ I would not have thee banished, no, but dead, That men may mark the wages envy reaps” (Sophocles 12). Oedipus wants his own brother-in-law dead because of the little knowledge Teiresias had said. Oedipus the ruler of Thebes turned on his own family like a flip of a switch, when Oedipus was blamed. Either Oedipus used Creon as a scapegoat of just plainly expected he was plotting against him. A proper ruler should only appoint the penalty of death when has the proper…

    • 595 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Sophocles 'Oedipus The King'
    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages

    Sophocles 'Oedipus The King'

    In the first part of Oedipus the King, Oedipus sent his brother-in-law Creon to the temple of Phoebus to ask the Lord Apollo for help with his kingdom. As Creon takes longer than expected to return, the reader comes to realize that Oedipus is an impatient man. "Already, when I think what day this is, I wonder…

    • 800 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More
  • Good Essays

    Er Dodds Article On The Misunderstanding Oedipus
    • 368 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Er Dodds Article On The Misunderstanding Oedipus

    E.R. Dodds article on the misunderstanding the oedipus rex assets the situation in three points.His first point is, fate was the main reason the play ended the way it did, it was not decreed that he would know the truth,he was destined to marry his mother and kill his father. The gods never indicate that he would know what he had done. Dodds backs up his claim by saying that oedipus and his own arrogance and pride are responsible for the tragedy that he suffered. In the play oedipus feels so proud that oedipus was able to solve the riddle to save thebes. He also says that Oedipus was guilty in the previous play's beginning and if the gods were punishing him for his behavior toward, Creon they did so fully. Also, Sophocles wrote Oedipus to…

    • 368 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
    Read More