An Interpretation Of The Fate Of Earl Mythology

A perplexing ending of the myth of Er (Hρο(?)) was arranged by Plato in Republic X, which carries substantial weights in the tenth volume and even in the whole book. However in time and tides its reading and comprehension varies.In the myth, the immortality of the soul, metempsychosis, and eschatological judgment is of significance and importance.Through the text analysis of volume X, This paper tries to give an interpretation of the myth, showing that destiny (μοiρα) not only stands in the core position, but also helps comprehending the complete myth and even the whole dialogue.By analyzing the aspects of necessity, contingency and freedom, the paper discusses the functionality and value of the destiny myth, thereby presenting the deep concerns for individual life and the soul as itself in Republic.The preface is a concise interpretation about two kinds of research ideas in reading Plato’s dialogues and an attempt to introduce the explanation difficulty on the myth of Er.Chapter1analyzes the poetry criticism in Republic X, distinguishes the myth of Er as philosophical poem and poets’production, explores the myth of Er making a response to the end of Republic Ⅰ. Its purpose is to explain the meaning and importance of this myth.Chapter2demonstrates that the core of Er’s myth is destiny on the structure and content. Furthermore, in this myth, destiny is described by three essential factors:necessity, contingency and freedom.Chapter3is a new understanding of that myth in both metaphysical and political view. The understanding means that the myth indicated a way to beyond the realistic politics by recounting destiny, meanwhile, the myth was used as a key which could lead the beginning of soul journey in Republic.In the conclusion, destiny is interpreted again, in order to show that the imaginary myth points to the area which can not be achieved by rhetoric and writing. Understanding the desire of this area is the only way to comprehend Er’s depiction. In the end of the Republic, enacts a silence that means there are more advanced things in the metaphysical way.