Creon is a major character in The Oedipus Cycle, and he was Oedipus's half-brother and a ruler of Thebes. His wife was Eurydice, and their son was Haemon.
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Oedipus Rex[]
In the first play, Oedipus Rex, Creon is given the crown in Thebes while Laius, its ruler at the time, went to consult with the oracle at Delphi. During his absence, the Sphinx came to Thebes, and it killed anyone who could not answer its riddle. As a result, Creon offered the crown to anyone who could overcome the Sphinx. Eventually Oedipus solved the riddle, and he was given the title of King of Thebes.
During the plague of Thebes, Creon is sent to the oracle at Delphi to attain information on the cause of the plague upon Thebes at the time. He comes back to inform Oedipus of the reason, that it was religious pollution due to the murder of Laius. When Oedipus consults with the blind prophet Teiresias, he accuses Oedipus of being the murderer, and in turn Oedipus blames Creon for conspiring against him.
When Oedipus finally realizes the truth of his prophecy, Creon agrees to look over Oedipus's two daughters Antigone and Ismene.
Oedipus at Colonus[]
In the second play, Oedipus at Colonus, Creon first appears when he forcefully tries to bring Oedipus back to Thebes to have his body buried at its border, because an oracle stated that wherever Oedipus's body was buried, the grounds of its city would forever be protected and thrive. Creon kidnaps Ismene and threatens to use force against Oedipus and Antigone, but Theseus comes and overpowers him, driving him back to Thebes.
Antigone[]
In the final play, Antigone, Creon becomes the ruler of Thebes.
After the battle between Polyneices and Eteocles, Creon decrees that Eteocles's body shall be honored and given proper burial rites, while Polyneices's body will be left out to the open to rot and be dishonored for betraying Thebes. Anyone who buries Polyneices's body will be given the death penalty. Later, Antigone sacrifices her life to bury Polyneices, and after Haemon convinces his father to spare Antigone's life, Creon decides to leave Antigone in an underground cave.
Teiresias comes to warn Creon of his wrongdoings, that since he left Polyneices's body disgraced and left Antigone underground to die, he will face great punishment. Shaken up by this fact, Creon agrees to set things right. However, by then it is too late; Antigone has committed suicide, and Haemon sees her body and commits suicide himself. Eurydice kills herself as well.
Distraught and devastated, Creon realizes his mistakes and expresses deep sorrow and regret for his actions. His servants help him into his palace afterwards.