Creon's Perspective in Oedipus Rex and AntigoneThe role of the king at the time of the Greek tragedies was both desired and feared due to the king's responsibility towards the people and because of the effects of the position on the character of the king. Creon reveals such ambivalent thoughts towards kingship in his speech in which he defends himself against Oedipus' charge of conspiracy in Oedipus Rex; these ambivalent thoughts reveal much about the nature of kingship, especially in conjunction with Creon's later actions in Antigone. In an attempt to disprove Oedipus' claim that Creon took part in a conspiracy to obtain kingship, Creon evaluates the nature of kingship and kingship. his current role. First, he says, “Consider, first, whether you think anyone/ would choose to rule and fear rather than rule and sleep” (36.584-585). By this Creon means that the main difference between his position and that of the king is that of the action that accompanies government. In both positions, one is a ruler who holds great power over the state. However, the king is placed in a position of greater responsibility towards the people. This responsibility is what Creon says inspires "fear" in the king, since if the affairs of state or the people go into decline, the king is the first person the citizens seem to blame. This is analogous to that of executive leaders throughout history, as can be seen by looking at American presidents and the correlation between current conditions and events in the nation and public opinion of the president, regardless of the actual impact his decisions they might have had under these conditions. Creon claims to have the same amount of power as the king but without the responsibility that inevitably leads a king to distress. Creon's reasoning regarding the equality between his power and that of Oedipus leads him to state: I was not born with such a frantic desire to be a king, but to do what kings do. And so it is with anyone who has learned wisdom and self-control. (36.587-590) It means that he never desired the position of king, because he sees no advantage over his current position in the state. Rather, he sees the downside of the fear that accompanies the position of king. Creon assessed this situation based on his circumstances and then goes further by stating that anyone with wisdom and self-control would also come to this conclusion..