Sophocles, an Athenian politician and dramatist, born in 496 B., wrote Antigone and Oedipus the King. Both dramas include Creon as a character and involve the same royal family. Although Antigone was written before Oedipus the King, the generations involved in Oedipus the King precede the ones in Antigone. In Oedipus the King, Creon is a lesser character who plays the brother of Jocosta and is the brother-in-law to Oedipus. He claims to be comfortable to share one third of Thebe's riches with Oedipus and Iocaste, and he is a devout follower of the oracle of Apollo and a loyal friend to Oedipus. In Antigone, Creon is a most significant character, the Ruler of Thebes, who prevails when the two sons of Oedipus die. He appears to be comfortable to be powerful and shows evidence towards tyranny. I will point out apparent personality variances in Creon between the two dramas, but I will, at the same time offer my views that lead me to believe that Sophocles' Creon is the same scheming and power-thirsty man in both dramas. Because of a desire for political status, a very important element in literature created for the politically active ancient Greeks, Creon is capable of deceiving family members and deities.
When we first see Creon during Oedipus the King, Oedipus is suggesting the arrival of Teiresias, a prophet, to discover who has murdered Laios. Creon, seemingly a helpful and almost serving loyalist, assures Oedipus that Teiresias has already been summoned, and acts surprised that he has not already presented himself. I decide that Creon and Teirasias have conjured the visit, and Creon knows well in advance that Oedipus is the murderer. He has Teiresias arrive and seem to be prophesizing. My reasoning falls in the fact that Teirasias arrives so immediately following the summons by Oedipus. Later, Oedipus accuses Creon of instigating Teiresias' words. It seems that Oedipus finally realizes Creon's nature, but when the prophecy proves to be valid and Creon's sister begs her husband to trust in Creon, the accusation made by Oedipus on Creon's intentions is withdrawn.
