One of the most memorable and meaningful Socratic quotes applies well when in
context of Sophocles' Theban Trilogy. "The unexamined life is not worth
living," proclaims Socrates. He could have meant many things by this
statement, and in relation to the play, the meaning is found to be even more
complex. Indeed, the situation of Oedipus, king of Thebes, the truth of this
statement is in question. Would Oedipus have been better off if he was blind to
the knowledge of his birthing and the fate which was foretold to someday befall
him? Truly though, his life would have been a far better and easier path had he
never known about his true origins. His life in Corinth would have been long and
prosperous, and Thebes would have lived on under King Laius. In fact, everyone
would have been better off in the long run if Oedipus had not ventured out
beyond the walls of Corinth. So is it worth living an examined life? Socrates
had made this statement long after the creation of the Theban Trilogy. In the
context of his own time, this was meant to imply that life must be examined and
reflected upon, known and discovered by each individual philosopher to better
enrich life for all. Yet in terms of Sophoclean drama, specifically Oedipus Rex,
this was meant in a vastly different way. The unexamined life was one that was
in the dark, unknown as to what fate lied beyond every turn and irony of living.
Oedipus, up to the point in which he heard the comment in the tavern in Corinth,
lived an unexamined life. To Socrates, he was an unfulfilled man, one who
deserved to know more, one who not complete. However, in a much less
metaphysical sense, Oedipus' life was complete, in that he had all that he
needed, and was living a happy and fruitful life. As the drama progresses, he
finds out more and more, learning exactly what the implications of his birth
was, he suffers the fate for examining his life. So what Socrates had meant,
that the life which was not rich with self exploration and reflection was not
worth living, was indeed different than its application in terms of Oedipus,
who's life was unexamined, yet complete. The question arises, what would life
have been like, if Oedipus had not discovered his true origins? If he had stayed
in Corinth, would this have ever happened? We find that indeed, we would have
had no story, if not for that lone comment of a drunkard which sparked the fire
of rebellion in the young prince Oedipus. He ventured out to Delphi, to pry
knowledge of his background out of it, and to discover if this was indeed the
truth, despite the fact that his adopted parents of Corinth had assured him of
it falseness. Oedipus leaves Corinth, fulfilling the Socratic idea of the
unexamined life. However, we must evaluate the eventual consequences of his
actions and the implications which they possess. What becomes of his fateful
journey out of Corinth leads to the downfall of an entire city and family line.
If he had not murdered King Laius, the Sphinx would have never descended upon
Thebes, he would have never fulfilled the prophecy, and all would have lived on
in a relative peace and tranquillity. Once examining these aspects of the
relationship between the quote and Oedipus Rex, we can come to a final
examination of its implications. The question which was addressed, that of the
value of the examined life, can be answered. Indeed, if Oedipus had not ventured
beyond the protective walls of his adopted home, would anything such as what
occurred in the play ever have transpired? If Oedipus had not pursued that
answers to the mysteries that plagued him, despite the pleading warnings of Iöcasta,
in fact his life would have been contented and happy. Instead, he follows the
Socratic method of exploration and discovery, and proceeds down the path of pain
and distraught. Was, after it was over, all worth it? We find that no, it was
not. Being content and suited with what he knew of himself would have saved
Oedipus and his children/siblings much agony. However, in the typical Greek
tragedy, we must see his fall from grace through, which is indeed what happens.
In the bliss of ignorance, much pain and difficulty is averted. For what worries
does the ignorant man have? In the case of Oedipus, ignorance would have suited
him fine. The Socratic quote "the unexamined life is not worth living"
certainly doesn't hold true in the case of Oedipus Rex. While it may hold
importance and a substantial meaning for our own lives, in the case of Oedipus
Rex, he would have been better off without it. Indeed, for while the unexamined
life is poor in a metaphysical sense, Oedipus would have truly been fine without
it. For the unexamined life is a simple one, and he would have lived a long and
happy life, never discovering the true nature of his birth, nor even caring.