Babi and Barbara,
Excellent points, well reasoned, and a plausible analogy. At this crucial point in the story it might be useful to consult Edith Hamilton to find out more about Creon, a stern, obviously feared leader.
Creon's Greek name is Kreon and means 'ruler'. He was the brother of Queen Jocasta and the brother-in-law of King Laius of Thebes. Laius had been warned by the Oracle at Apollo's Temple at Delphi not to have a child with Jocasta because he would die by that child's hand. But Jocasta did have a son. To evade the prophecy Laius asked a servant to bind the infant's feet and ankles and leave it to die on the mountain side. Thanks to the compassion of strangers the child, named Oedpus, lived; the prophecy was fulfilled years later even though neither man knew who the strangers were.
In Laius' absence, Creon became regent in Thebes. Then word came of his and his companions' death at the hanadd of robbers. . Thebes was in sore straits, it had been invaded by the Sphyinx, a monster shaped like a winged lion but with the breast and face of a woman, lying in wait for the wayfarers on the roads near the city.
Oedipus was raised by the King and Queen of Corinth as their son. When he grew older he heard a rumor that he was adopted, and when old enough,decided to ask the Oracle at Delphi about his parents. He was told that he was destined to murder his father and marry his mother. Like Laius had, Oedipus thought it possible to obviate this by never going back to Corinth. His wanderings brought him to Thebes. The Sphinx waylaid him and asked him the riddle which no one had been able to answer :"What has four feet in the morning, two at noon, and three in the evening ?" and Oedipus said "Man", whereupon the Sphinx, inexplicably and most fortunately, killed herself. The citizens were grateful and made him their king, and he married the dead king's widow, Jocasta. They lived happily and had four children, two daughterrs and two sons.
Then a terrible plague came on to the country; men died, flocks and herds were decimated, no crops were growing; famine seemed unavoidable. Nobody suffered more than Oedipus. He sent Creon to Delphi to implore the god's help. Creon came back with good news. Apollo had told him the plague would be stayed on one condition : Whoever had killed Laius must be punished. Oedipus was enormously relieved and set out to find the murderer. He sent for the seer Teresias who at first refused to answer. When Oedipus pressed him at length, the prophet told him he himself was the murderer he was seeking. Oedipus was indignant and banished the prophet from his sight forever.
It is a long story and we know how it ended. Word came of the death of the King of Corinth, who had not been Oedipu real father. And the man was found who had taken the infant from the shepherd and given him to the King and Queen of Corinth. In the face of this overwhelming tragedy Jocasta killed herself, Oedipus blinded himself. He resigned the throne, the elder son, Polyneices, did not want it. Creon became the regent.
Oedipus continued to live in Thebes; his sons were well liked by the citizens, and both daughters were all a father could desire. Eventually, however, Oedipus was driven out of the city. Antigone accompanied her father to guide him; Ismene stayed behind.
When Oedipus was gone, the sons asserted their rights to the throne, both trying to be made king. Eteocles succeeded even though he was the younger. He then expelled his brother from Thebes. Polyneices sought refuge in Argos. It was his intention to assemble an army and march against Thebes.
As Antigone opens, we hear about the battle that raged for a long time without a decisive outcome -- until at last the brothers fell upon each other, each killing the other. The field was littered with casualties, but Eteiocles was hailed by Creon as hero and defender of the city, and Thebes declared the winner. Creon, , in control, proclaimed that none of the dead who had fought against Thebes must be give a burial, inasmuch as they were traitors.
This account is excerpted from Edith Hamilton's Mythology, pp. 375-387. I have left out the rest of Oedipus' life in Colonus and his peaceful death, after which Antigone returned to Thebes.
