Remorse is the moral anguish, the sorrow and shame, and the regret and guilt, which may haunt even the fiercest, mightiest king. It is often accompanied with the consequences of the individual’s wrongdoing. Remorse takes a principal part in some of Greek’s classic tragedies. One could say, the tragic hero is likely to experience such feelings, likewise in the Greek tragedies Oedipus Rex, rewritten by John Bennett and Moira Kerr, as well as Antigone written by Sophocles, two characters Oedipus and Creon both display signs of remorse.
Yet ultimately, it is evident through the emotions displayed, admittance of their sins, and further self imposed retribution, that Oedipus suggests a higher degree of remorse. To begin, it is shown through the interactions with close kin that Oedipus portrays a greater level of remorse compared to Creon. When a messenger approaches Oedipus bearing the news from the Queen of Corinth that his father has passed, Oedipus “flung his hands to the heaven and shouted his relief to the gods, [knowing] the terrible prophecy that he would kill his own father had not come true” (Bennet, Kerr, 2).
Oedipus displays true relief when he believes the prophecy had not been fulfilled before finding out the genuine truth. If he were to be unremorseful, he would have been nonchalant when receiving the news that proved him free of guilt. Oedipus can be considered more remorseful, as his intentions never meant harm to his father, unlike Creon in a relatable situation. When Antigone, Creon’s niece, proceeds to honour her abandoned brother with a burial while disobeying Creon’s orders, Creon simply states “My sister’s child—ay, were she even nearer, nearest and dearest, she should not escape full punishment! (Sophocles, 12).
Firstly, the fact that Creon shows not a trace of remorse for a slain family member, already exhibits how he feels no guilt at this stage. Following that, when Antigone faces death under his command, he merely dictates that Antigone could have been even closer of a family member and yet, she still would not have escaped the penalty of death, simply showing how unremorseful Creon can be. As can be seen through their normal personas towards family, Oedipus, compared to Creon, is clearly the character that displays a higher degree of remorse through the interactions regarding his own kin.
Secondly, Oedipus can be shown as more remorseful in contrast to Creon through their emotions displayed. Oedipus exhibits a higher level of remorse when his reaction is portrayed towards his sinful deeds. After realizing the prophecies had come true, “Oedipus, unable to look at the faces of men anymore… left Thebes to wander the world in exile, never able to forget his horrible sins” (Bennet, Kerr, 3). While remorse is often connected to feelings of guilt and regret, humiliation can also be associated, as it is one of the emotions individuals feel that drive them to become remorseful.
Oedipus, feels humiliation for the sins he committed, and cannot face the men of the town. As his crime is too disgraceful for him to stay, he exiles himself from Thebes and wanders the world with his wrongdoings, which only serves as a burden to him. It is clearly illustrated how Oedipus displays a great deal of remorse. On the other hand, when Creon realizes the magnitude of his actions on his family, he merely states, “I am nothing. I have no life. Lead me away… that have killed unwittingly my son, my wife” (Sophocles, 16).
Here, Creon is aware of the great catastrophe that has occurred under his command, feels deep sorrow and regret for his actions and discerns that his life is no more. Obviously both characters show a fair amount of remorse in regards towards their unfortunate situations, however it can be seen that Oedipus displays a higher toll of emotional weight when his emotions cause him to flee his own kingdom, therefore proving that Oedipus shows the higher degree of remorse.
Lastly, through further self-imposed retribution, undoubtedly, Oedipus displays a greater amount of remorse in comparison to Creon. Oedipus, who was “sick at soul” eventually “tore the brooches from the robe of his dead wife and ground the pins into his eyes” (Bennet, Kerr, 3). As a result of this action, it is shown that Oedipus, filled with guilt and shame, imposes his own punishment on himself by abolishing his sense of sight. Through this, Oedipus clearly demonstrates how high the degree of remorse he feels is.
On the contrary, when Creon becomes informed of the deaths of his own son and wife, he asks aloud “Is there no sword for me, to end this misery? ” (Sophocles, 16). In this scene, Creon wishes to end his misery by killing himself as well, but as the story comes to a conclusion, it is speculated that Creon in fact, does not sentence himself to death. He imposes to only to be led away, to dwell for the remainder of his life in his own kingdom. It is here, that the true distinction between Oedipus and Creon shows.
Oedipus, undeniably showing more remorse brings blindness and exile upon himself, compared to Creon, who only decides to reside within his home to live forever in sorrow. Unmistakably, through their self-imposed retributions, Oedipus demonstrates a higher level of remorse when compared to Creon. All in all, while both characters Oedipus and Creon exhibit signs of remorse, it is clear through their familial interactions, emotions displayed, and their further self-imposed retribution that, in comparison to Creon, Oedipus portrays the greater degree of remorse.
