Similarities Between The Allegory Of The Cave And Plato's Cave

In "Allegory of the Cave" Plato describes a cave in which people are born and are deceived by puppeteers who cast shadows using fires above and behind those in the cave. They are chained down so they cannot move nor turn their heads towards the exit of the cave where a true reality exists. To them, this is the true reality. They know of no other and will not accept it unless they were forced to meet it. The 1999 film titled The Matrix is very similar to Plato's cave. Billions upon billions of people unknowingly live out their lives in a virtual reality. They too would find it difficult to accept any other reality. Consequently, both stories parallel each other in attempt to make the audience question their senses and reality.

Those who exist …show more content…
How would he escape? Why would he want to leave if he is happy with his current reality? Plato answers this by another man who was once a prisoner of the Cave coming back and forcing another man into the light. As the man exits the cave, he is brought into an immensely bright light. The light pains his eyes. Only by looking back to the Cave, into the darkness, will his pain subside. The light is so immense and bright that he is blinded. These new three-dimensional objects he has never seen before confuse him. Because of his current condition, he wants to return to his old reality that he can understand and cannot accept his new, confusing reality. Eventually his blindness and pain gradually fade as he begins to understand the Cave was an ill reality and finds living in the light is better. "First he will see the shadows best, next the reflections of men and other objects in the water, and then the objects themselves; he will gaze upon the light of the moon and stars...and he will see the sky and stars by night...[Then] he will be able to see the sun...he will see him in his own proper place and not in another" (ln 22-28) He has been enlightened. He will want to live in his new reality and "endure anything, rather than think as [those in the Cave] do and live after their manner." Now that he gained new knowledge of the true reality, he cannot go back to …show more content…
Neo, who is the savior of the Matrix, is brought out of it by Morpheus -- a believer in a prophesy and a leader of his ship and crew, the Nebuchadnezzar. Unlike Plato's man, Neo leaves willingly. Yet he still suffers the pain in his eyes and blurred distorted vision. When Neo first enters the real world, he finds himself in a pod filled with fluid. His entire body carries outlets, which large wires connect to. The largest wire is attached to the back of his head to control his senses while in the Matrix. These wires represent Plato's chains. As Neo sits up, he is finally able to turn his head and see the truth. He is surrounded by billions of pods just like his; all those contain humans who are in the Matrix. Neo then sees a large, intimidating robot that flies to him, examines him, and then leaves. Neo is released from his wires and slides to a pool of water where the Nebuchadnezzar picks him up. A bright immense light shines, blinding him, as he ascends towards the ship. His vision is blurred and he collapses. Afterwards, Morpheus explains the true world's history. Neo goes into denial and faints. Later, he accepts the reality and realizes he can't return to live in the Matrix. Though the Matrix is a better world then Plato's cave, both Neo and Plato's man cannot go back to stay since both are now enlightened to the truth. But if they did return, knowing that they can't stay, for what reason would they