Quote:
Originally Posted by Solon
Excellent. The Heracles (Hercules) myths are about civilizing society. The story of Antigone deals with conflict and loyalty to the state vs. loyalty to the gods. . .
The philosophers recognized the power of myth and allegory. The story of Atlantis was probably entirely invented by Plato, and his entire Republic is an allegory - the map of the city is really a map of the soul.
|
Intesting. I'll have to approach it with that in mind.
I just remembered the next phase of the story I related above. Orestes is tried for the murder of his mother, and aquitted. Though the result is not entirely satisfactory it ends the violence. Hence, the allegory is also seen as an argument in favor of civilization, law courts, etc., whatever the imperfections. This is significant given the place of the Iliad and its related stories as founding epics for Greece.
There are numerous permutations of the above. These are not the only versions.