Good films, regardless of their genres, unleash a fantastical charm that grapples the audience senses and elicits a positive response of appreciation from them. When one talks of good films, it invariably comes to the point of subjectivity of perspectives. Hollywood films in the last few decades have explored numerous offbeat themes involving concepts such as reality vs. illusion, the impact of destiny and fate and prejudices. All these conceptual frameworks endorse philosophical discourses related to subjectivity. This paper is going to answer a set of questions related to the two films 300 and Snow Falling on Cedars, released in 2007 and 1999 respectively, in the light of the famous Platonic doctrine Allegory of the Cave. All the points that are to be covered in the ensuing part of this paper would focus on the analogies drawn from Platos seminal work, and would correlate them with the two films. The central epistemological concepts would include reality, illusion, fate, destiny, and prejudices.
Allegory of the Cave
Describe the cave.
What is he trying to get us to understand about reality and the perception of reality
Becker argues that Platos allegory of the cave is a symbolic representation of mans epistemological situation in the world of mere images and appearance mans task is to get out of this cave and finally to attain sight of the realm of Ideas (54). The cave here is a metaphoric depiction of reality in chains. In other words, the claustrophobic feel of the cave matters very little to the mind that attains superior knowledge about the self within an expanded reality. The imaginary conversation between Socrates and Glaucon alludes to a sense of time being held immobilized and common human perception altered under stimulated circumstances. The cave itself serves as an emblem of preservation as well as destruction in that reality is manipulated inside it, but only to deduce that illusion of the reality can be deconstructed by experiences.
What is meant by the term Philosopher King Why is it so difficult to find one
The term Philosopher King in Platos Allegory of the Cave implies a seemingly improbable scenario of personified reality in which a man would be able to save the society from disintegration. Broadly speaking, the Philosopher King encompasses a utopian conjecture involving salvation of mankind in the face of moral corruption. It helps restoring hope and order amid a chaotic setup underlining human predicament.
Why does Plato propose the philosophers of his academics to be the rulers turn by turn
In Allegory of the Cave, Plato purports that the true philosophers are of a superior nature in terms of dignity and integrity. Hence, they have all the necessary ingredients to be rulers who can give direction to societies. The line analogy is crucial to understanding Platos viewpoint in this context. It implies that knowledge and vision are to be put turn by turn, so that one leads to the other and makes for a complete circle of purpose (Preus 81).
What is the truth according to Plato
Can truth be told or does it have to be experienced
Platos truth, as discussed in Allegory of the Cave, is essentially imagistic and subliminal. It can be related to the hermeneutics of Gadamer and Heidegger, both of whom endorsed the fundamental concepts of truth. The shadow between our existing knowledge about something and our quest to learn more falls in the conceptualization of the cave. On one hand, the truth about the cave is not secretive it is open for all to see and acknowledge. The Greek conception of truth refers to conceiving an idea in its bare form. But since an idea entails certain materialistic digressions, it is not possible to interpret the same without resorting to allegorical means. On the other hand, Platos truth is a transferred phenomenon from the apparent to the real (Coltman 38). It can be presented within a discourse but that would take away the possibility of a deeper understanding of the discrepancy between a perceived phenomenon and the same with an academic essence.
What does the light of the sun mean
The sun analogy in Allegory of the Cave refers to the separation line between the material world and the immaterial manifestation of the same. The sun acts as a guide to crawl out of the darkness of ignorance that prevails inside the cave.
300
Describe the Spartans in physical appearance and mental attitudes.
Following the release of the epic Braveheart in 1995, very few American reel productions could capture the Classical spirit of warfare as vividly as 300 did. This blockbuster glorifies the valiant fight only 300 Spartan warriors led by Leonidas put up to shake the pride of the ominous Persian army that invaded Athens around 580 B. C. The Spartans were lankily built with a clean-shaven look. They kept long hair and paid special attention to their diet. Overeating was considered to be a sin in the Sparta community. Physically deformed Spartan boys were killed at birth, so that they do not bring shame to the warrior clan in future. Moreover, the mental prowess of a would-be warrior used to be examined in a manner which stretched the dormant human attribute of fearlessness to its extreme limit.
How are the Persians depicted
The Persians are portrayed as having a ruptured orientation to defeat and loss. The Platonic worldviews of over-confidence and complacency can be traced in the portrayal of the Persian army, especially of their King Xerxes. The film highlights the hamartia of the Persian army as the concept is illustrated in several Greek dramas.
Select three specific scenes that stood out to you personally and state why they had an impact on you.
To me, the most striking scene in the film was the opening one. It not only made me sit on the edge of my seat anticipating what might be happening next, but also evoked in me a sense of profound admiration for the Spartan philosophy of life in general. A young Spartan soldier was being exposed in the wilderness before a hungry and ferocious beast. It was up to him to save his life and prove to the rest of the community that he was worth joining the undaunted warrior group.
Another scene that had great impact on me involved the Persian messengers visit to King Leonidas requesting the former to surrender arms to his Persian counterpart King Xerxes. The background score builds up the ambience which eventually culminates into a flashing brilliance of special effects and acting.
The third scene that I still cherish is when King Leonidas, before succumbing to his mortal wound, expresses his undying love for his wife Queen Gorgo. In a way, this scene sums up the heroic valor of a tribe that strived to defy destiny by plotting an outrageous plan to face more than 10000 well trained army of men.
What was the pace of the movie Mention the music. Did it fit the scenes Be descriptive.
The pace of the movie was in keeping with the plot progression. The film outlined a time spanning years and the screenplay was written accordingly. Given the historical subject matter and equally befitting treatment of the content, it was quite natural that the film should be paced stylistically. Likewise, the battle scenes were graphically drawn out, with occasional cuts to ultra slow motion. As for the music, the composer Tyler Bates did a fairly efficient job in mixing the repetitive and weighty beats with choric music. The scenes involving the actual battle are lot more musical than those showcasing regular affairs of the Spartans.
Discuss the shading and tones of the film.
The film incorporated subdued tones with touchups of sepia and dark shades. The dark blue hue used to film the events after sunset intensifies the underlying sense of desperation that runs throughout the film. Considering the timeline of the events portrayed in the film, both shading and tones matched congruently with the theme.
Describe the scenery.
The outdoor shots were mostly taken from long angles using elevated camera frames. For the audience it created a dizzy sense of distance from the time of the events. The Spartan village is depicted as barren and minimalistic much in compliance with the ascetic philosophy of the community. The grandeur of warfare is brought out by befitting costume designing for both the Persian as well as the Spartan forces.
Does this movie have any relationship to contemporary politics and culture of today
Therons act of betrayal represents the diplomatic tug-of-war in power politics of various modern democracies worldwide. Moreover, the Persian kings penultimate offer to Leonidas to surrender to him belies the true value of loyalty to ones own nation, which appears to be a recurrent trend in issue-based terrorism of today.
What was womens role in Spartan society How was the Queen viewed
Like any ancient society, the Spartan council too deemed women the preserver of values and humane qualities. Girls used to enjoy an authoritative role in household affairs but at the same time, were also considered to be sources of amusement and sensual indulgences for men. As for the Queen Gorgo, her carnal submission to the disfigured Ephialtes degrades her before the Spartan warriors. But the King himself remains singularly loyal and loving to his wife till his death. What it also implies is that human fate is overbearing upon the will not to recapitulate at the slightest provocations.
Snow Falling on Cedars
Introduce the main characters and their issues.
What is Ishmaels (Ethan Hawke) specific dilemma
The main characters in Snow Falling on Cedars are Kazuo Miyamoto, Ishmael Chambers, Hatsue Miyamoto, Judge Fielding, Sheriff Art Moran, Etta Heine, Horace Whaley and Ole Jurgensen. However, the central character is Ishmael who is entrusted to cover the story of a murder of a local fisherman. He develops a strong interpersonal feeling for the convicts wife Hatsue. Since prejudice is the governing theme of the film, the psychological turmoil of Ishmael is quite pronounced in that he is being held accountable by his own conscience over the dilemma he faces between discharging his duty and controlling his heart. On the other hand, the accused Kazuo is subject to intense hatred for the Japanese in America, following the events of the Pearl Harbor. Furthermore, the deteriorating relation between the Miyamotos and the Heines over ownership of the latters ancestral land creates tension in the sub-plot of the film.
Is the pace of this film different from 300 If so, how is it different
The two films are set in two distinct eras. 300 muses over a heroic event just as Snow Falling on Cedars does. But quite interestingly, the latter film is interspersed with almost arrested moments of passion and deliberation, which the former does not have. These moments occur during the trial and are interspersed between scenes involving Ishmael and Hatsue. So the pace of the two films differ greatly not just in terms of running time, but also in terms of their respective projection of the actions.
Does the music fit the mood of the film
The film was nominated for the Best Original Score at the International Press Academy Satellite Awards ceremony. It may be mentioned that the soundtracks used in the film do not mar the flow of the narrative in any way.
Describe the scenery and the lighting.
The frequent use of grey and black in the film underpins the war theme in a justifiable manner. Most of the shots, like 300, are taken from distant and vertical angles to augment the intensity of the scenes. Attack on the Pearl Harbor is presented stylistically with ample amount of consideration to the Japanese sentiments.
Could the forest or the water with the dead fish be an allegory If so, what do you think is the meaning
A detailed atmospheric continuation may be traced in the scenes involving water with the dead fish. Attempts may be made to interpret these scenes allegorically. In my opinion, the dead fish in water stands for the murdered fisherman who awaits trial amid deep-seated anti-Japanese sentiments.
Allegory of the Cave
Describe the cave.
What is he trying to get us to understand about reality and the perception of reality
Becker argues that Platos allegory of the cave is a symbolic representation of mans epistemological situation in the world of mere images and appearance mans task is to get out of this cave and finally to attain sight of the realm of Ideas (54). The cave here is a metaphoric depiction of reality in chains. In other words, the claustrophobic feel of the cave matters very little to the mind that attains superior knowledge about the self within an expanded reality. The imaginary conversation between Socrates and Glaucon alludes to a sense of time being held immobilized and common human perception altered under stimulated circumstances. The cave itself serves as an emblem of preservation as well as destruction in that reality is manipulated inside it, but only to deduce that illusion of the reality can be deconstructed by experiences.
What is meant by the term Philosopher King Why is it so difficult to find one
The term Philosopher King in Platos Allegory of the Cave implies a seemingly improbable scenario of personified reality in which a man would be able to save the society from disintegration. Broadly speaking, the Philosopher King encompasses a utopian conjecture involving salvation of mankind in the face of moral corruption. It helps restoring hope and order amid a chaotic setup underlining human predicament.
Why does Plato propose the philosophers of his academics to be the rulers turn by turn
In Allegory of the Cave, Plato purports that the true philosophers are of a superior nature in terms of dignity and integrity. Hence, they have all the necessary ingredients to be rulers who can give direction to societies. The line analogy is crucial to understanding Platos viewpoint in this context. It implies that knowledge and vision are to be put turn by turn, so that one leads to the other and makes for a complete circle of purpose (Preus 81).
What is the truth according to Plato
Can truth be told or does it have to be experienced
Platos truth, as discussed in Allegory of the Cave, is essentially imagistic and subliminal. It can be related to the hermeneutics of Gadamer and Heidegger, both of whom endorsed the fundamental concepts of truth. The shadow between our existing knowledge about something and our quest to learn more falls in the conceptualization of the cave. On one hand, the truth about the cave is not secretive it is open for all to see and acknowledge. The Greek conception of truth refers to conceiving an idea in its bare form. But since an idea entails certain materialistic digressions, it is not possible to interpret the same without resorting to allegorical means. On the other hand, Platos truth is a transferred phenomenon from the apparent to the real (Coltman 38). It can be presented within a discourse but that would take away the possibility of a deeper understanding of the discrepancy between a perceived phenomenon and the same with an academic essence.
What does the light of the sun mean
The sun analogy in Allegory of the Cave refers to the separation line between the material world and the immaterial manifestation of the same. The sun acts as a guide to crawl out of the darkness of ignorance that prevails inside the cave.
300
Describe the Spartans in physical appearance and mental attitudes.
Following the release of the epic Braveheart in 1995, very few American reel productions could capture the Classical spirit of warfare as vividly as 300 did. This blockbuster glorifies the valiant fight only 300 Spartan warriors led by Leonidas put up to shake the pride of the ominous Persian army that invaded Athens around 580 B. C. The Spartans were lankily built with a clean-shaven look. They kept long hair and paid special attention to their diet. Overeating was considered to be a sin in the Sparta community. Physically deformed Spartan boys were killed at birth, so that they do not bring shame to the warrior clan in future. Moreover, the mental prowess of a would-be warrior used to be examined in a manner which stretched the dormant human attribute of fearlessness to its extreme limit.
How are the Persians depicted
The Persians are portrayed as having a ruptured orientation to defeat and loss. The Platonic worldviews of over-confidence and complacency can be traced in the portrayal of the Persian army, especially of their King Xerxes. The film highlights the hamartia of the Persian army as the concept is illustrated in several Greek dramas.
Select three specific scenes that stood out to you personally and state why they had an impact on you.
To me, the most striking scene in the film was the opening one. It not only made me sit on the edge of my seat anticipating what might be happening next, but also evoked in me a sense of profound admiration for the Spartan philosophy of life in general. A young Spartan soldier was being exposed in the wilderness before a hungry and ferocious beast. It was up to him to save his life and prove to the rest of the community that he was worth joining the undaunted warrior group.
Another scene that had great impact on me involved the Persian messengers visit to King Leonidas requesting the former to surrender arms to his Persian counterpart King Xerxes. The background score builds up the ambience which eventually culminates into a flashing brilliance of special effects and acting.
The third scene that I still cherish is when King Leonidas, before succumbing to his mortal wound, expresses his undying love for his wife Queen Gorgo. In a way, this scene sums up the heroic valor of a tribe that strived to defy destiny by plotting an outrageous plan to face more than 10000 well trained army of men.
What was the pace of the movie Mention the music. Did it fit the scenes Be descriptive.
The pace of the movie was in keeping with the plot progression. The film outlined a time spanning years and the screenplay was written accordingly. Given the historical subject matter and equally befitting treatment of the content, it was quite natural that the film should be paced stylistically. Likewise, the battle scenes were graphically drawn out, with occasional cuts to ultra slow motion. As for the music, the composer Tyler Bates did a fairly efficient job in mixing the repetitive and weighty beats with choric music. The scenes involving the actual battle are lot more musical than those showcasing regular affairs of the Spartans.
Discuss the shading and tones of the film.
The film incorporated subdued tones with touchups of sepia and dark shades. The dark blue hue used to film the events after sunset intensifies the underlying sense of desperation that runs throughout the film. Considering the timeline of the events portrayed in the film, both shading and tones matched congruently with the theme.
Describe the scenery.
The outdoor shots were mostly taken from long angles using elevated camera frames. For the audience it created a dizzy sense of distance from the time of the events. The Spartan village is depicted as barren and minimalistic much in compliance with the ascetic philosophy of the community. The grandeur of warfare is brought out by befitting costume designing for both the Persian as well as the Spartan forces.
Does this movie have any relationship to contemporary politics and culture of today
Therons act of betrayal represents the diplomatic tug-of-war in power politics of various modern democracies worldwide. Moreover, the Persian kings penultimate offer to Leonidas to surrender to him belies the true value of loyalty to ones own nation, which appears to be a recurrent trend in issue-based terrorism of today.
What was womens role in Spartan society How was the Queen viewed
Like any ancient society, the Spartan council too deemed women the preserver of values and humane qualities. Girls used to enjoy an authoritative role in household affairs but at the same time, were also considered to be sources of amusement and sensual indulgences for men. As for the Queen Gorgo, her carnal submission to the disfigured Ephialtes degrades her before the Spartan warriors. But the King himself remains singularly loyal and loving to his wife till his death. What it also implies is that human fate is overbearing upon the will not to recapitulate at the slightest provocations.
Snow Falling on Cedars
Introduce the main characters and their issues.
What is Ishmaels (Ethan Hawke) specific dilemma
The main characters in Snow Falling on Cedars are Kazuo Miyamoto, Ishmael Chambers, Hatsue Miyamoto, Judge Fielding, Sheriff Art Moran, Etta Heine, Horace Whaley and Ole Jurgensen. However, the central character is Ishmael who is entrusted to cover the story of a murder of a local fisherman. He develops a strong interpersonal feeling for the convicts wife Hatsue. Since prejudice is the governing theme of the film, the psychological turmoil of Ishmael is quite pronounced in that he is being held accountable by his own conscience over the dilemma he faces between discharging his duty and controlling his heart. On the other hand, the accused Kazuo is subject to intense hatred for the Japanese in America, following the events of the Pearl Harbor. Furthermore, the deteriorating relation between the Miyamotos and the Heines over ownership of the latters ancestral land creates tension in the sub-plot of the film.
Is the pace of this film different from 300 If so, how is it different
The two films are set in two distinct eras. 300 muses over a heroic event just as Snow Falling on Cedars does. But quite interestingly, the latter film is interspersed with almost arrested moments of passion and deliberation, which the former does not have. These moments occur during the trial and are interspersed between scenes involving Ishmael and Hatsue. So the pace of the two films differ greatly not just in terms of running time, but also in terms of their respective projection of the actions.
Does the music fit the mood of the film
The film was nominated for the Best Original Score at the International Press Academy Satellite Awards ceremony. It may be mentioned that the soundtracks used in the film do not mar the flow of the narrative in any way.
Describe the scenery and the lighting.
The frequent use of grey and black in the film underpins the war theme in a justifiable manner. Most of the shots, like 300, are taken from distant and vertical angles to augment the intensity of the scenes. Attack on the Pearl Harbor is presented stylistically with ample amount of consideration to the Japanese sentiments.
Could the forest or the water with the dead fish be an allegory If so, what do you think is the meaning
A detailed atmospheric continuation may be traced in the scenes involving water with the dead fish. Attempts may be made to interpret these scenes allegorically. In my opinion, the dead fish in water stands for the murdered fisherman who awaits trial amid deep-seated anti-Japanese sentiments.
No comments:
Post a Comment