Plato's Allegory of the Cave: An Examination of Reality

Greek philosopher Plato studied the nature of reality and examined knowledge itself. In The Allegory of the Cave, Plato addresses human experience related to the human condition of ignorance and its restrictions on ability to distinguish “shadows” from reality. By creating a clear distinction between illusions and reality, Plato works to demonstrate the necessity of attaining enlightenment in order to properly navigate life. In order to sharpen this distinction, Plato uses vivid imagery that paints the contrasting worlds of illusion and reality and constantly reiterates the contrasting idea of ascent to an enlightened state to descent into darkness to clarify the difference between shadows and truth. His incorporation of numerous rhetorical

In the beginning of the allegory, Plato incorporates imagery in describing the cave and the human beings living within it, stating, “They see only their own shadows, which the fire throws on the opposite wall of the cave.” Plato’s illustration depicts the development of the one-sided illusion that is given to the humans, thus portraying the shadows as trickery to divert the humans from an attainable reality. The phrase “their own shadows” which the “fire throws” causes the audience to wonder who has control over the illusion and why they may be manipulating it. This develops a distinction between the shadows and darkness of the cave and an outside alternate reality. Plato furthers this distinction by painting a new reality by describing the experience of liberation. He asserts, “...he will gaze upon the light of the moon and the stars and the spangled heaven,” which clarifies the differences between the opposing worlds of the cave and the upper world. Words describing the cave include “shadows” to reference the idea of darkness, which greatly contrasts the outside world where there is “light” and “spangled heaven.” The clear distinction Plato molds allows the audience to examine their own caves that may be shielding them from important realities in their own lives. Through vivid imagery that distinguishes two opposing worlds, Plato highlights the good in reaching an enlightened state, represented by the light-filled upper