An Analysis Of Sacrifice In Plato's Crito

When people from other nations visit America, we are perceived as extremely ethnocentric citizens. Flags hang on every corner and the words “God bless America” are plastered on every wall: it is clear that Americans love their country and love expressing this adoration. This admiration does not exist to the extent that it did in ancient Athens, as most proud Americans would not die for their nation today. In Plato’s Crito, Socrates, a proud Athenian, does not hesitate to die in accordance to the laws of his nation; as the status of his home state is more valuable to him than his own life. Thus, despite family and friends to live for, Socrates obeys the states wishes and agrees to die for his actions, showing his dedication to a parental state
Crito warns Socrates that if he dies he will not be able to educate his sons, and that his friends will be miserable without him, but Socrates is still not persuaded. Crito cautions that Socrates is “betraying [his] sons by going away and leaving them, when [he] could bring them up and educate them” (Crito 40), and while Socrates does not want to abandon his sons, towards the end of the discussion he realizes that even exiled he cannot be there to help them. Socrates predicts the response of the city if he chooses exile, foreseeing a response along the lines of “consider what good you will do yourself or your friends by breaking our agreements and committing such a wrong. It is pretty obvious that your friends will themselves be in danger of exile, disfranchisement and loss of property” (Crito 45). Socrates does not want to endanger anyone in order to live, largely because he ruled his death as the will of the God’s and embraced it. Here Socrates’ dedication to the laws is apparent, as he chooses to abide by the state laws even though that involves parting from his family and friends. Few would abandon what they had on earth for the state today, thus this devotion to the law is remarkable and incredibly
In ancient Athens, the state was perceived as a paternal figure, one that its citizens gave the utmost respect. Thus, another reason Socrates declined Crito’s escape plan was to avoid overstepping the authority of his polis, or his parents. Socrates explains to Crito that the state will question his wisdom if he escapes, as according to the state he must “realize that [his] country is to be honored more than [his] mother, father and all [of his] ancestors, that it is more to be revered and more sacred, and that it counts for more among the gods and sensible men” (Crito 44). The state is above him, and disobeying their wishes is a deplorable action that displays a lack of respect, honor and dignity. Socrates warns Crito that the state will say that “it is impious to bring violence to bear against your mother or father; it is much more so to use it against your country” (Crito 44), thus to Socrates, dying an honorable death with respect from Athenians is much better than escaping and disrespecting the polis. Today, not only do most people disrespect the state, but they also disrespect their parents, which is why Socrates embracing his death is so powerful. Socrates was a man of integrity and possessed values that do not exist today, marking him as legendary. Thus, the role of the state in ancient Athens is extremely important in its citizen’s lives, to the extent that it should be