Another instance of Creon's character is exhibited in his desire to speak privately with the king, while Oedipus maintains that Creon's words should be public. "Is it your pleasure to hear me with all these Gathered around us? I am prepared to speak, But should we not go in?- (Prologue 92-94). I see this as Creon trying to prevent any other political members from discovering his deceit and guessing a forthcoming scheme. This prevents the building of poor judgment upon Creon's integrity and preventing his future chances at power. His words are nothing that the people cannot hear, unless he already knows that Oedipus is exactly who Apollo wishes to expel from Thebes because he is the murderer. This would mean that Creon is actually collaborating with others that know things, not just bringing word from gods, as he claims. The revenge against the murderer of Laios is just concern for all the people to hear.
During the quarrel between Oedipus and Creon regarding Creon instigating Teiresias' words, Creon appears highly content to allow Oedipus to be the identified ruler of the kingdom. His claim is to be content to equally share the rule of Thebes with his sister and with Oedipus. This appears in Scene Two, when he reassures Oedipus that he wishes no part of being named king of Thebes. There is too much work involved with bearing this name: "Think of this first: Would any sane man prefer Power, with all a king's anxieties, To that same power and the grace of sleep? Certainly not I."" (66-70). But Oedipus had earlier ordered Creon's banishment, proving that power does truly reign in the name. Creon must beg Oedipus to change his mind. I see that Creon truly knows the power that Oedipus holds above him as king. Then, when the play ends, Creon, as the new King of State, eagerly assists Oedipus with his exile. He makes no pleas on Oedipus to remain in Thebes with his children. Creon separates Oedipus from his remaining family, thus receiving his desired title of kin, and proving to me that king is what Creon wanted from the very beginning.
