Interpreting Plato's Allegory of the Cave Lines one through five of the essay "Allegory of the Cave" focus on the shadows on the cave wall. This passage is important in setting the scene for the essay. Plato tries to explain "how far our nature is enlightened or unenlightened." He employs figurative language and strong imagery to convey a sense brutality towards the prisoners of the cave. Plato's use of language creates a vivid picture of …showed first 75 words of 434 total…

…showed last 75 words of 434 total…prisoners life has carelessly been thrown around in the puppet holders hands. Plato's imagery creates strong, wicked feelings of the prisoners for the reader. Plato uses shadows of puppets on a cave wall for punishment of his prisoners. He reiterates this image and the plight of the prisoners through his use of figurative and strong language. This causes the reader to sympathize with the prisoners and try to understand the meaning of their harsh punishment.