Ben feels a competitive threat by Locke because Ben was born on the Island yet Locke has a special connection with the Island that he doesn't. Ben knows that Locke could threaten his control over The Others. The Island cured Locke, it transformed him from a weakling into a confident, cunning man with a sense of purpose and destiny.
So in order to gain back the upper hand, Ben devised the perfect setup to con Locke, it was a win win situation for Ben. If Locke killed his own father that would have broken Locke's connection with the Island because Locke is inherently "good" and we know the Island doesn't look upon "bad" people fondly.
Ben also knows that if Locke doesn't kill his father in front of all The Others he will be utterly embarrassed and shamed, thus psychologically transforming Locke back into his weaker self. On top of this Ben and The Others leave Locke behind in order to guilt him into killing his father. Again - both win win situations for Ben.
However, Locke outsmarts Ben again by having Sawyer kill Cooper, thus preserving his "good" status with the island and maintaining his upper hand with Ben. Locke received help from a dissenting Other, and yes I believe there are a group of Others that want to overthrow Ben, see Juliet. This will happen by seasons end.
This is the second time Locke outsmarted Ben because I am in the camp that Locke "moved" the sub and didn't destroy it.
Theory by Aaron
So in order to gain back the upper hand, Ben devised the perfect setup to con Locke, it was a win win situation for Ben. If Locke killed his own father that would have broken Locke's connection with the Island because Locke is inherently "good" and we know the Island doesn't look upon "bad" people fondly.
Ben also knows that if Locke doesn't kill his father in front of all The Others he will be utterly embarrassed and shamed, thus psychologically transforming Locke back into his weaker self. On top of this Ben and The Others leave Locke behind in order to guilt him into killing his father. Again - both win win situations for Ben.
However, Locke outsmarts Ben again by having Sawyer kill Cooper, thus preserving his "good" status with the island and maintaining his upper hand with Ben. Locke received help from a dissenting Other, and yes I believe there are a group of Others that want to overthrow Ben, see Juliet. This will happen by seasons end.
This is the second time Locke outsmarted Ben because I am in the camp that Locke "moved" the sub and didn't destroy it.
Theory by Aaron
