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Summary of The Sword of Damocles
The Sword of Damocles' is a Greek fable. It represents the
ancient background of a time when there was autocracy in Sicily. In addition,
this story is satirical that teaches us that boundless property and power do
not necessarily bring true happiness and satisfaction.
Dionysius was the king of Sicily during the 4th century B.C.
He was known for his autocracy towards people. Most of the people had a fear
that they would suffer at the hands of the king if unfortunately, they would
fall into his power. Therefore, he was disliked by almost all the people
because of his autocracy and cruelty.
Similarly, he was equally terrified thinking that his enemies
would kill him anytime if they got an opportunity because he held mighty power
by frightening his people.
Despite his autocratic/tyrannical nature, Dionysius loved the
company of intelligent people who were famous in science, letters, and arts.
Like other kings, king Dionysius had also a large number of flatters. Among the
flatters, the most famous was Damocles. He used to sing the false song about
the glory, honor, destiny, power, and wealth of the king. He used to say that
the kings, in general, have great happiness, relaxation, and comfort. He used
to say that there could be no greater happiness in the world than to sit upon
the throne of Sicil.
However, Dionysius was aware and self-conscious of all kinds
of dangers and flattery. Tired from the flattery of Damocles, Dionysius thought
to teach him a good moral lesson. Then, the king said that he would offer
Damocles the position of the king of Sicily. He was sure that Damocles would
resign from the throne very soon. Damocles sat on the throne with a heavy
golden crown just over his head. He was proud of being the king of Sicily. He
was given the same honor by the people there that king Dionysius used to get.
Dionysius was excited and overjoyed to be on the throne. In
the meantime, Damocles turned his head all around and found a naked sword
hanging by a thin thread from the ceiling right above his head. He was nervous,
tensed, and frightened. He realized that the sword might fall upon him anytime
and that he would be killed. He wanted to give up the throne but the king did
not permit him. He had to stay on the throne until the feast was over. He requested
the king to shift him to another place. But the king refused it. Damocles had
to remain in a state of terror for hours. He felt that death was dancing in
front of his eyes. He thought that he was going to be killed. Anyway, Dionysius
requested Damocles to have the courage to face danger. He was very
faint-hearted.
As soon as the feast was over, Dionysius left the throne and
became glad to live the life of ordinary people. He learned that a man can't
remain happy despite having ultimate wealth. He also understood that it is easy
to flatter powerful and honorable people but it is difficult for them to
maintain their position. He said that all kings and people of high positions
live under the same risk of life. So, power and wealth do not necessarily bring
happiness and satisfaction.
Application of Four Levels of the story The Sword of Damocles
Literal Comprehension of The Sword of Damocles
Dionysius was the king of Sicily in the 4th century BC. He
had no good relationship with his people because of his autocratic and cruel
nature. Similarly, all most all people did not like him. Though he was
autocratic, he had made good companions with intellectual advisors. Like other
kings, he was flattered by many people. The most flattering man was Damocles
who used to sing a false song and tell that there would be no happiness and
satisfaction like of king praising king's honor, wealth, and power. Tired from
his flattery, king Dionysius decided to teach him a moral lesson.
One day he conducted the grand party to which Damocles was
invited. Then, the king told him to be the king of Sicily. Damocles became
happy to be the king and accepted his proposal. When he sat on the throne with
extreme happiness and excitement, he saw a naked sword with a thin thread right
above his head, he got frightened and thought he was going to be killed. He
requested the former king to shift the place but he refused it. Similarly, he
told Dionysius that he would leave the throne and become an ordinary man, but
he did not agree with him. So, he had to stay on the throne for hours full of
terrors.
When the feast (party) was over. Damocles immediately left
the throne and was told that power and wealth do not necessarily bring
satisfaction and happiness. He also realized that it is easy to flatter
honorable and powerful people without knowing the challenges and risks they
have to maintain.
Interpretation of The Sword of Damocles
This story tries to teach us that boundless property and
power do not necessarily bring true happiness and satisfaction. Though a high
position has its honor and glory, it has also its dangers. If Damocles had
understood these things, he would not have suffered from such fear and terror
for the hours after he put on the throne and had to stay till the feast was
over.
Similarly, it is not a good idea to flatter powerful and
honorable people without knowing how difficult and challenging for them to
maintain their position. In addition, this story tells us about the importance
of courage, patience, bravery, and wisdom for a successful life.
Critical Thinking Ordinary people like Damocles wish for the
wealth and position of kings as well as people of high positions but they
hardly see the dangers, and risks of the inwardly. They are always frightened
like Dionysius' thinking that they would be killed if their enemies or jealous
people get a chance. So, we must understand that people with power, wealth, and
high responsibility are always under pressure and in a state of fear.
However, some ideas in the story are less convincing. How can
a small thin thread support a big naked sword? Why did not the sword fall upon
Damocles for hours? Is it true that the cruel and autocratic king, Dionysius
becomes ready to give his throne to the ordinary man, Damocles?
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Assimilation of The Sword of Damocles
This story has greatly influenced me. After reading this
story, I come to know that it is not better to flatter people. Similarly, I
have understood that people at any level do have challenges and risks in every
step of life. In fact, boundless wealth, power, and high position does not
bring great happiness and satisfaction to human life because honor and glory
have its own dangers.
Discuss in groups the
following: The writer of "The Sword of Damocles" told his stories to
a Greek audience. Some Greeks, e.g., the citizens of Syracuse, were under the
rule of such cruel tyrants as Dionysius. Other Greeks enjoyed life in
democracies which, in many ways, were freer than the freest contemporary
countries. For instance, in Athens, all important political decisions were made
by a vote of all citizens. In this tale, is this Greek writer trying to tell
his listeners that freedom is good or bad? Explain your answer.
In fact, most people prefer democracy to autocracy because of
freedom of speech, justice, rights, and so on. Peace, order, and prosperity
with freedom can be achieved in a democratic system of government rather than a
tyrant or autocratic system. So, the writer supports freedom.
To support his view, the writer brings the reference to king
Dionysius and Damocles. Dionysius was the king of Sicily in the 4th century B.
C. He was famous for his harshness towards people. He was disliked by almost
all the people because of his cruelty and autocracy. He misused his power.
Though he had many intellectuals like scientists and artists, they were always
in a state of fear, terror, and far from happiness.
Similarly, Damocles wanted to achieve freedom and happiness
being the king since he never got such just being an ordinary person. It means
in an autocratic system, people do not feel freedom, rather they might be
punished without any reason. For example, Damocles would not have faced fear
and terror if he had already been given freedom. Rather he feels that he is
going to be killed. He wants to live in peace and freedom at that moment, but
he is not given such but full of terror, fear, violence having physical and
mental torture. Therefore, the writer is trying to tell us that freedom is good
as well as a basic requirement in human life.
Do you agree with the
writer of "Damocles' Sword" "that boundless wealth does not
necessarily bring happiness and satisfaction"?
Generally, we human beings do not get happiness and
satisfaction with only our wealth. Though wealth is a basic need in human life,
it is not all. It is also said that a poor man remains much happier than a rich
one in many situations. Similarly, happiness or satisfaction can also be
achieved through how we are recognized and honored in society. Anyway, though
high position men have their honor and glory, it also has dangers. So, people
who hold boundless wealth and mighty power must be strong, and courageous to
keep their position.
King Dionysius was autocratic as well as cruel so, he was
famous for the happiness to the people and he was also disliked by people.
Though he had plenty of wealth and power, he was frightening in the sense that
if enemies got an opportunity, then, he would be killed. So, he was not happy
and satisfied inwardly.
Similarly, as an ordinary man, Damocles wanted to have boundless wealth like the king so that he could get happiness and satisfaction. But when he was made a king and put on a throne, from the very beginning, he felt terror and fear and wanted to leave the throne as soon as possible realizing that people living in honorable and high posts having the plenty of that do not feel or gain happiness and satisfaction. With these supporting references, I agree with the writer of Damocles' Sword that boundless wealth does not necessarily bring happiness and satisfaction.