Beholding Oedipus after his self-mutilation, Choragos states, "[y]ou were better dead than alive and blind" (Exodos.139).
Paraphrase
Though Choragos is responding in regards to the physical condition of Oedipus, the statement is also an assertion on the connection between self-awareness and one's quality of life.
Introduction and Claim
In the play Oedipus Rex by Sophocles, Choragos stresses to Oedipus the importance of having sight by stating that "[y]ou were better dead than alive and blind" (Exodos.139). Choragos' statement could also be interpreted to imply that there is a connection between self-awareness and one's quality of life. The text from Oedipus Rex shows this to be true as explained below.
In the quote, Sophocles presents a wise Choragos enlightening a repentant Oedipus, who is now aware of himself and regrets his past deeds. Sadly, self-awareness was achieved after all damage had been done. To explain the relationship between self-awareness and quality of life as signified in the quote, it is important to view how Sophocles links self-awareness and blindness. The author tries to elaborate on this relationship in the play by portraying the blind prophet Teiresias, who has the ability to see more clearly than people with sight. Hence, Sophocles provides a distinction between inward sight and outward sight; inward sight signifies self-awareness.
When Choragos states that it would be better if Oedipus was dead rather than alive and blind, he refers to the entire situation of Oedipus in the play, when he had outer sight and acted reckless and irresponsible, and when he was physically blind but had an inner sight and he was more aware of himself; which improved his quality of life. The play illustrates that when Oedipus still had his physical sight, his perception of things led to his father's killing and his mother's marriage since while he had not lost his vision, he could not see who his parents were nor could he see what he had become (Anistrophe 2.132-135).
Also, Sophocles makes it obvious that the sad issue was Oedipus' physical sight and lack of self-awareness and not his blindness for the reason that his blindness brought clarity, understanding, and improved his quality of life. In addition, Oedipus' himself preferred to be blind and resented himself when he was with sight but committed evil and hurt the people around him (2. 129). Blindness was also a way for him to hide from all the evil he had done. Later on, Oedipus becomes better off dead when he goes to Colonus because he had the chance to die and, in the process, bring blessings to the town.
Referring to Oedipus' life, Choragos also stated that every man should consider his last day and not presume good fortune until he can be fulfilled by his death and be able to live and die with good memories of his deeds (2. 297-300). Here the author continued to emphasize the importance of self-awareness in life and that it leads to a quality of life without self-destruction and regrets that follow one to the deathbed.
As illustrated above, it is apparent that evidence depicted in the play supports the notion that the quote "[y]ou were better dead than alive and blind" (Exodos.139) could be understood as the relationship between a person's quality of life and self-awareness. Thus, the play advocates for self-awareness as it increases the quality of life.
Works Cited
Sophocles, Dudley Fitts, and Robert Fitzgerald. Oedipus Rex: An English Version. Harcourt, Brace and Company, 1948.
