Allegory Of The Cave Data Sheet
Title: The Allegory of the Cave Author: Plato Date of Publication: First transcribed circa fourth century BC Genre: Philosophical Dialogues, Parable/Allegory Historical information about the period of publication:
The Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens was taking place and Plato saw the military service during the course of the war. It had an impact on politics and philosophy and the uprising of democracy made the ability to speak and debate become important. The Sophists became very influential. Biographical information about the author:
He was a descendent from Ariston and Perictione. Plato planned a political career until
Athens became controlled by an Oligarchy of wealthy men. After Athens was restored into a democracy and his mentor, Socrates, was put to death, Plato became involved in philosophy. He eventually founded the Academy. Characteristics of Genre:
Extended metaphor, philosophical/deeper meaning, extended metaphor to become a direct representation of teacher’s thoughts Plot Summary:
Socrates is speaking to Plato’s brother, Glaucon. He begins by telling him a story about men in a cave. Three prisoners have been chained inside a cave so tightly that the have been immobile since birth. They are only able to see shadows cast on a wall from the fire burning behind them. Because they are chained, this is the only reality known to the prisoners. One day, a prisoner is released from the cave but is blinded by the light outside of the cave and shocked to see a new reality outside of the cave. He runs back to tell the other prisoners but they do not believe what he tells them because the shadows are all they have ever known. Author’s style:
Plato writes with a style of intellectuality. He challenges the readers intelligence through the use of questions and the use of looking at the deeper meaning of things. He uses a metaphor and different literary devices to create a representation of his thoughts.
The Peloponnesian war between Sparta and Athens was taking place and Plato saw the military service during the course of the war. It had an impact on politics and philosophy and the uprising of democracy made the ability to speak and debate become important. The Sophists became very influential. Biographical information about the author:
He was a descendent from Ariston and Perictione. Plato planned a political career until
Athens became controlled by an Oligarchy of wealthy men. After Athens was restored into a democracy and his mentor, Socrates, was put to death, Plato became involved in philosophy. He eventually founded the Academy. Characteristics of Genre:
Extended metaphor, philosophical/deeper meaning, extended metaphor to become a direct representation of teacher’s thoughts Plot Summary:
Socrates is speaking to Plato’s brother, Glaucon. He begins by telling him a story about men in a cave. Three prisoners have been chained inside a cave so tightly that the have been immobile since birth. They are only able to see shadows cast on a wall from the fire burning behind them. Because they are chained, this is the only reality known to the prisoners. One day, a prisoner is released from the cave but is blinded by the light outside of the cave and shocked to see a new reality outside of the cave. He runs back to tell the other prisoners but they do not believe what he tells them because the shadows are all they have ever known. Author’s style:
Plato writes with a style of intellectuality. He challenges the readers intelligence through the use of questions and the use of looking at the deeper meaning of things. He uses a metaphor and different literary devices to create a representation of his thoughts.