What are the strengths and weaknesses of the characters Jocasta, Creon, and Teiresias in Oedipus the king?

Question

need as soon as possible need for a big project and cant seem to find them give as much detail as u can and if possible give some examples and/or quotes from the book and what page there on thanks

Answer 1

Jocasta is intelligent.  (Oedipus seems to have inherited her brains and Laius' temper.)  She realizes where Oedipus' investigation is leading before he does.  However, she can't live with the realization.

Creon is unambitious and peaceful, as we see in the scene in which Oedipus makes irrational accusations against him and it takes him some time to be goaded into losing his temper.  At the end of the play, he's reluctantly in charge and shows that he can be firm but compassionate.

Teiresias I would call rather cynical.  His opening line sums it up:  It's no blessing to have special knowledge if it can't be used.  He .knows the whole situation in Thebes and has chosen to ignore it, evidently  because exposing it would lead to even worse consequences than the city is now suffering.  Not until Oedipus goads him (like Creon) into losing his temper does he answer Oedipus' question, and then Oedipus proves him right by refusing to believe him and making wild and unfounded accusations.

Answer 2

the biggest strength is their ability to lead. their weakness is in their EGO!

Answer 3

Jocasta is intelligent. (Oedipus seems to have inherited her brains and Laius' temper.) She realizes where Oedipus' investigation is leading before he does. However, she can't live with the realization.

Creon is unambitious and peaceful, as we see in the scene in which Oedipus makes irrational accusations against him and it takes him some time to be goaded into losing his temper. At the end of the play, he's reluctantly in charge and shows that he can be firm but compassionate.

Teiresias I would call rather cynical. His opening line sums it up: It's no blessing to have special knowledge if it can't be used. He .knows the whole situation in Thebes and has chosen to ignore it, evidently because exposing it would lead to even worse consequences than the city is now suffering. Not until Oedipus goads him (like Creon) into losing his temper does he answer Oedipus' question, and then Oedipus proves him right by refusing to believe him and making wild and unfounded accusations.

Answer 4

It sounds like you literally want someone to write your paper for you. Sorry, no can do, and I can't give a really thorough answer because it's been a long time since I read it, but here are some bits and pieces to spark some ideas while you write your own original paper:

Even though Tiresias was blind and helpless, his strength was that he wasn't afraid to say what he "saw" prophetically speaking, even though it angered Oedipus.

Jocasta's weakness was her denial of everything until she was absolutely forced to face it, and only then did she demand to know the truth. I have never thought of her as a particularly strong character, rather submissive sort of person that went with the flow. (You may disagree, and that's OK.)

Creon was just a mean bas***d. He went by the letter of the law, not the spirit. That was both his strength and his weakness, because he could carry out heartless edicts and feel justified, but couldn't bend his proud neck to change his mind once he'd made a decision.

I hope this helps at least a little. Try Cliff's Notes at the book store.