Leadership in Oedpius
Leadership in OedpiusLeaders come in many odd shapes and forms. As can be seen the character's of Sophocles' Oedipus the King and Antigone. Contained within these famous Greek tragedies one can see how leadership is fostered and the challenges encountered by the three characters of Oedipus, Creon and Antigone. Although they are tragic leaders, they are able to maintain an integrity that is vital in a leader. In comparing Oedipus, Antigone and Creon, there is a similarity between them in terms of the main characters' leadership in response to situations.
In Oedipus the King, the main character that displays leadership in response to a situation is Oedipus. In this epic, Oedipus's leadership is greatly noted, especially upon our introduction of him and as the story progresses further. His leadership is easily recognized as he took charge when the Chorus and the Priest asked for his help to rescue Thebes from the plague. As a result Oedipus says, "In all my search, I have found helpful course, and that I have taken: I have sent Creon, Son of Menoikeus, brother of the Queen, to Delphi, Apollo's place of revelation, to learn there, if he can, What act or pledge of mine may save the city."(Sophocles pg 153) Once Creon returns with the message from the Oracle, Oedipus springs into action when he says, "I make this proclamation to all Thebans: If any man knows by whose hand Laios, son of Labdakos, met his death, I direct that man to tell me everything, no matter what he fears for having so long withheld it. Let it stand as promised that no further trouble will come to him, but he may leave the land in safety. Moreover: If anyone knows the murderer to be foreign, let him not keep silent: He shall have his reward from me. However, if he does conceal it; if any man fearing for his friend or for himself disobeys this edict, hear what I propose to do. I solemnly forbid the people of this country. Where power and throne are mine, ever to receive that man or speak to him, no matter who he is, or let him join in sacrifice, lustration, or in prayer. I decree that he be driven from every home, being, as he is, corruption itself to us: the Delphic Voice of Zeus has pronounced this revelation." (Sophocles pg 157-158) Here, Oedipus shows resolve and determination taking every step that is necessary to find the solution. Based on all of these statements of Oedipus, it is therefore agreeable that Oedipus was a strong and a leader that took action.
In the play Antigone, there is a characters that responds to situations with leadership and this character is Creon who is King of Thebes and Antigone who is daughter of Oedipus and sister of Polyneices. But let's discuss Creon first....
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