Similarities between Odysseus and Creon - Research Paper Example

In Odyssey, we learn the character of king Odysseus who had been in captivity for two decades under Calypso. Calypso kept him captive for twenty years after he fought and won over the city of Troy (Mikalson, 19). He was patiently waited by his wife and son back in Ithaca where he was the king. Telemachus had a terrible time fighting suitor who attempted to destroy his father’s wealth and remarrying Penelope, the king’s wife. Creon was accused of conspiracy. He offered rational explanations to argue that he had all the power he needed. This was because he was the brother in law to the king. He considered himself as having the same status with king Oedipus (Schefold & Giuliani, 29). This meant that people had to get to the king through him. He appeared to have the capability to be a bother to the people if he was the king. However, Creon argued that he was the one who made Oedipus the king. After Laius death, the king of Thebes was Creon. However, after his city was tormented by sphinx, he announced that anyone with a solution would get both his sister, Jocasta, and his crown. He never went back of that promise. Creon and odyssey tend to share a number of similarities. None of the characters seems to be entirely good or bad. Creon is known to have come up with a harsh law that discouraging people from mourning Polyneices. The punishment for breaking that rule would be death. According to Creon, burying and mourning Polyneice was considered to be a criminal act. The penalty was death by stoning in a public square. However, after discovering Antigone was involved in burying Polyneices, he issued a different punishment to her. This revealed that he is not as terrible as he appeals. He ordered that both Antigone and Ismene be guarded well (Marks et al, 53). Creon appears to be stubborn with regard to the harsh law he had proposed. Odysseus, who was the king of Ithaca, appeared to be victorious for ten years. He effectively defended Ithaca in the period of the Trojan War. Although he appeared to be a noble person, it indulged with adultery and forsook his wife, Penelope. This revealed that he was not as respectable as many might have thought. Odysseus lay with his wife every night but was insensitive to her desire. Creon and Odysseus appeared to be flawed in their character. Creon appeared to have excessive pride. He claimed to have exclusive power to give orders in the entire city. As the king, he was the only one issuing orders in the city. His character came out as domineering and insensitive (Beye, 17). Creon is a strong leader who is stubborn. This causes him to be at loggerheads with his son, Haimon. He is blamed for the death of Haimon besides warning that he would never marry a lady of his choice as long as he lived. For king Odysseus, his curiosity made him appear flawed. His curiosity caused him to get near Polyphemus. This resulted in the death of two men. He insisted on waiting for a giant at the Cyclops cave. The death of king Oedipus did not end the desire by his family to continue occupying the palace. Creon shows public support for Eteocles while he announced that Polynices is an enemy of the state. However, he sets a trend of revenge and death in the family. The daughter of king Oedipus defies the order of Creon. The order to execute Antigone faces opposition from Haimon, Ismane and Teirresias. For king Odysseus, the biggest setbacks in the journey home came from the gods who accused him of insensitivity to their needs. Both characters suffer from not meeting the set out expectations. Another striking similarity about both characters is that they get punished in retribution for their crimes. Their punishment exceeded the crimes they committed. Creon was left by himself after he was bereaved of his kinsfolk. This came after he punished Antigone (Beye, 17). According to Creon, Haimon was so young to die. The queen was reported dead according to a messenger. Most of the family members committed suicide leaving him alone. This appeared to be a harsh verdict compared to the wrongs he had committed. For king Odysseus, he could not see his family for over two decades. In the process of the long journey, he ended up losing most of his friends. This means that he had a difficult time at home. In the story of Odyssey, the homecoming of king Odysseus from Troy was an extremely adventurous experience. The king was waiting to avenge upon arrival because there his family had been dishonored. His wife was expected to announce another husband. Although Athena aided him in the journeys, he was thwarted by Poseidon. His son played an instrumental role in ensuring that his father regained honor in Ithaca. Although it appeared to be punitive for the king to stay for over twenty years without his family, his wife, Penelope remains loyal. She doubted the news of his arrival but eventually believes after undeniable proof. She was involved in weaving and unweaving (Mikalson, 19). Creon appears to have a strong character and principle. He appeared to be forgiving even after king Oedipus accused him of terrible issues. He also appeared to be gentle in that he accommodated the grieving Oedipus even when he was mutilated. He was instrumental in ensuring that the public do not see him (Mikalson, 19). Creon had the heart to protect the children of Oedipus. Both king Odysseus of The Odyssey and Creon showed responsibility by getting involved in matters of social interest. King Odysseus had gone to fight in Trojan while Creon was interested in the peace of the city after the attack of sphinx. The Trojan War had been revealed that both Creon and king Odysseus had wives with strong characters. Creon was the brother in law to king Oedipus. King Odysseus appeared to be a religious man who depended on the god of Odyssey. King Odysseus was said to undergo several punishments from some of the gods and hence the suffering. Odysseus has the character of courage, confidence, strength, authority and thirst for glory. These are the traits of a leader of Homeric attributes (Schefold & Giuliani, 29). His sharp intellect appears to be the most distinguishing attribute. Even after enjoying a luxurious life with Calypso in a foreign land, he eventually wants to go home. According to Odysseus the king, his wife cannot compare to Calypso. He lost men in the process of sacking the land of Cicones. King Odysseus revealed his identity to Calypso in the process of seeking glory. However, this attracted wrath from Poseidon. This caused him to temper personal pride with patience. Even after getting abused by suitors, he gets disguised as a beggar. This happened until get used the loyalties he had set to strike back. King Odysseus son was an in fact when his father went to Troy. He was brought up as a responsible prince who became increasingly assertive with time. However, he does not entirely, match king Odysseus talents (Schefold & Giuliani, 29). This is given to the fact that he has a less eloquence and losses temper easily. Cleon believed he is better that his son. Cleon believed that he had a sharp mind, strong character and authority. He used these imaginations to control the entire city. Cleon was willing to give up power in order to ensure the city gets a solution from the Sphinx attack. King Odysseus refused to settle even after having a luxurious life with Calypso. He wanted to go back to his family and kingdom. Both men had become kings of the ancient kingdoms of Greece at some point. Creon failed because he did not have the capacity to solve problems that were arising from plagues that were caused by sphinx (Schefold & Giuliani, 29). The people of the state of Thebes needed a person who could solve the challenge of stillbirths, maternal fatalities, cattle falling sick and crops suffering from blight. Creon could not offer any help to the people. However, he was not power hungry. The people of Thebes lived through prophesies, they needed a religious man who could answer to their higher needs. King Odysseus was said to have been dependent on Zeus especially while sailing back to Athena. Although his ship was struck with lightening, he got the help he needed from the city of Athena. The city of Thebes was operating under a curse. This was one of the reasons why Creon failed. Creon struggled to rule because his power was opposed by Antigone, Teiresians and Haimon. His character appears to show a self destructive pride. He does not imagine any other person can be right in Thebes (Schefold & Giuliani, 29). Therefore, he adores his decisions. This causes him to contravene the divine law and customs. This caused to suffer and eventual downfall. He failed from happiness and power because he could not acknowledge any other decision as right. Creon should be held responsible over his own fate. He appears to be a tragic hero. Works Cited Beye, Charles R. Odysseus: A Life. New York: Hyperion, 2004. Print. Day, Malcolm. 100 Characters from Classical Mythology: Discover the Fascinating Stories of the Greek and Roman Deities. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's, 2007. Print. Marks, Louis, Don Taylor, Michael Pennington, John Gielgud, Claire Bloom, and Sophocles. Oedipus the King. Princeton, N.J N.p., 2004. Print. Mikalson, Jon D. Honor Thy Gods: Popular Religion in Greek Tragedy. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press, 1991. Print. Schefold, Karl, and Luca Giuliani. Gods and Heroes in Late Archaic Greek Art. Cambridge [England: Cambridge University Press, 1992. Print. Read More