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Enlightenment In Plato's Allegory Of The Cave

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Enlightenment itself is a concept that cultures around the world believe in and how people can master this concept. Enlightenment is an elevated understanding of life and learning how one may remove any negativity from their life. Societies view enlightenment as important because it helps people understand any and all forms of negativity never promote happiness and prosperity. One piece of literature that vividly shows this concept is Plato’s, “Allegory of the Cave.” Plato highlights how Socrates converses with Glaucon about how the man who reaches the light at the end of the cave would be free from negativity; the man discovers the truth which leads him to enlightenment. Socrates mentions that “if he called to mind his fellow prisoners and what passed for wisdom in his former dwelling-place, he would surely think himself happy in the change and be sorry for them” (Plato par. 28). The man feels relief to know he is truly free, but feels remorse for the other prisoners in their false reality. Plato shows that Socrates emphasizes the importance of truth and how it changes people entirely. Truth leads to happiness which leads to enlightenment and an end to suffering. However, Plato is not the only person to describe enlightenment through literature. …show more content…

Dante and Virgil escape hell and realize the importance of their journey is being free from negativity through enlightenment. Alighieri describes enlightenment when he says, “Where we came forth, and once more saw the stars” (Alighieri 34.140). Alighieri is exiting hell and entering purgatory which guides him towards salvation. This resembles Alighieri’s enlightenment of being released from a self-built prison. The journey to enlightenment is rigorous, but the reward is always worth the effort. Both pieces of literature have messages of enlightenment, but each piece focuses on a specific

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