# Creon — Oedipus at Colonus character guide

> Creon in Oedipus at Colonus by Sophocles.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Creon Zeus, Creon Burghers

**First appearance:** 0002-oedipus-at-colonus

## Snapshot

Thebes's ruler, who comes to Colonus with soldiers and smooth words, determined to drag Oedipus home by any means.

## Who they are

Creon arrives claiming to speak for Thebes and for Oedipus's own good, but his courtesy is a mask: he has already seized Ismene and his guards soon take Antigone. He embodies the city's cynical calculus — Oedipus is valuable only because of the oracle attached to his grave. His lawless grab for the old man and his daughters forces Theseus to intervene, and his defeat at Athens's hands exposes how hollow his piety and kinship-talk really are.

## Relationships

### [Antigone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/antigone)

_rivalry_

Antigone opposes Creon's attempts to forcibly take Oedipus back to Thebes, defending her father's will.

### [Oedipus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/oedipus)

_rivalry_

Creon is Oedipus's manipulative brother-in-law who tries to coerce him into returning to Thebes for political gain.

### [Theseus](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/theseus)

_rivalry_

Creon and Theseus clash as Creon tries to abduct Oedipus's daughters, leading to Theseus's intervention.

### [Ismene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/ismene)

_rivalry_

Creon kidnaps Ismene to use as leverage against Oedipus, showing his ruthless manipulation.

### [Apollo](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/apollo)

_psychological_

Creon uses Apollo's oracles to justify his actions, manipulating divine authority for political ends.

### [Ismene](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/ismene)

_rivalry_

Creon kidnaps Ismene to use as leverage against Oedipus, showing his ruthless manipulation.

### [Antigone](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/antigone)

_rivalry_

Antigone opposes Creon's attempts to forcibly take Oedipus back to Thebes, defending her father's will.

## In the story

### [Dramatis Personae](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/chapters/dramatis-personae)

Brother of Jocasta, now reigning at Thebes.

### [Endnotes](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/chapters/endnotes)

Creon desires to bury Oedipus on the confines of Thebes to avoid pollution while still offering due rites.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters/creon
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/oedipus_at_colonus_se/characters