Sopochles Journal 2

Oedipus demonstrates the qualities of a proficient leader in that he is trying his best to find out how to help his people, while he also demonstrates qualities of a deficient leader in the way that he talks to people. He is driven by anger almost all the time, which makes the reader wonder whether he is worried about his people or maybe about his own reputation... He also displays signs of disrespect, for example when Tiresias comes to town and says that he can't tell them anything, out of frustration, Oedipus reprimands this well-respected man: " You, you scum of the earth, you'd enrage a heart of stone!" (380-381). This shows Oedipus' impatience and lack of faith in the gods and in that everything will be alright, while Tiresias displays wisdom and calmness as he tries to make Oedipus see his mistakes. Then there is Creon who is smooth with words and is not afraid to speak her mind, while she still seems to possess more wisdom than even Oedipus has.