MATRIX

Chew Bert Zian 1105245

The Matrix is a movie that talk about future, which human are being control, and living in a simulated reality that created by a machine. This film concept is somehow like Plato's cave theory, where people are imprisoned in  cave, and only can know the outside world by just watching the shadow that drop on the wall, but they don't know that, the shadow that drop on the wall are not from human, it just from puppets and fire pit. The prisoners in the cave never gonna know the truth if they dun stand a chance to walk out from the cave.
In Matrix, the human who under control of the system is just like the prisoners in the cave,they were lived in the simulated world since birth, so they will think that the simulated world(cave) there are living now is real, and will never know the true real world and the reality that are being control by a system( shadow & fire pit).

Neo's journey in the Matrix are fit to Monomyth, the hero's journey steps. He is the hero in the movie, he leave his ordinary world, which is the simulated world, by accepting the calling of his mentor, Morpheus to cross his first threshold with a red pill to the real world, and get know with Morpheus and his crew. During this time, he learn the rules of the real world. After that, he face with ordeal, the dead of Morpheus's crew members, betrayal of their ally Cypher, Morpheus being captured and his death, but he is being revived by Trinity's kiss, and gain a new power to perceive the matrix and destroys Agent Smith. The ending of the movie, Neo making a promise that he will demonstrate the people that imprisoned in the Matrix.( return with elixier).

How MATRIX Fits With Plato's Allegory Of The Cave & Monomyth

Goh Pang Hong - 1103926

From what I understand on Plato's Allegory of the cave, it is a cave where there are prisoners chained inside it and they are never expose to the world outside of the cave. Meanwhile, they can only see reflections/projections from shadows made on the wall and they are not able to see the source of the shadow. The source of shadows projected on the wall are actually from a fire pit and there are puppeteers controlling the puppets for the prisoners to see. Thus, all the prisoners will gradually believe what happen with the shadows and what the shadows are doing are the reality. They won't realize that the shadow they saw isn't reality and the only way to escape from this illusion is to get out of the cave and see the truth out of the cave. 

THE MATRIX is a movie that have much similarity and fits well with monomyth and Plato's Allegory of the cave. In the movie, the world is an virtual reality created by data and machines. It is intended to make the people believe on what they see, while blinding them from truth, which is similar with the intention and purpose of Plato's Allegory of the cave. In the movie, there is The One that is released from illusion of THE MATRIX and can see the real world, as well as the truth and he freed several people from THE MATRIX. In this aspect, it is very similar to Plato's Allegory of the cave as the prisoners in the cave are able to explore the cave after they are unchained, allowing them to be aware of the cave's truth and then they will realize what they saw from the shadows are not the truth all along. When they walk outside of the cave, they will be able to see the real world, outside of the cave.

At the start of the movie, Thomas Anderson is one of billions of humans connected to the MATRIX, unaware that the world he lives in is a virtual reality. He is a computer hacker who penetrates computer systems illicitly and steals information under his hacker alias "Neo". During his time as a hacker, Anderson has learned about something known only as THE MATRIX. Somehow, Neo has always felt his whole life that there is something wrong with the world he lives in now. After several turn of events, Neo is offered a choice to remain in his everyday life and forget about the Matrix or to learn what THE MATRIX really is, which is the 'call to adventure', one of the stages of monomyth. He then chosed to learn what the Matrix really is, and from here one, the hero's journey begins. He takes a red pill designed to disrupt his body's neural connection to the Matrix, this is the part which is connected to monomyth's 'supernatural aid'. Then, Neo begins his training to become more knowledgeable in many forms of combat and ship operations by having various training programs uploaded directly into his brain. He also receives further instruction from Morpheus on subjects such as "freeing his mind" from the restrictions of the Matrix and the existence of its Agents. I believe this part is the 'road of trials' of monomyth. There is a part where Trinity kiss Neo and he comes back to life as The One, I believe this is the 'death and rebirth' from monomyth. The video below is a video clip from the movie that shows the scene where Neo is reborn as The One and he is finally aware of his own power and then he defeats his enemy with ease.

Therefore, I think THE MATRIX is a movie that fits very well with monomyth and Plato's Allegory Of The Cave.

The Matrix and Plato's Allegory of The Cave.

Ng Ruo Xin 1104814

The matrix, in the movie, is an illusion of the world created by the Machines. Its purpose is to control the humans with a system that makes them believe what they see is all real and true. This system is similar to Plato's theory of the cave, where people are imprisoned in a cave and all they see is the wall of the cave. Behind them there is a fire. Behind the fire are puppets controlled by puppeteers to cast shadows onto the wall of the cave for the prisoners to see. The prisoners are not allowed to turn their heads to the back, so they believe what they see on the wall as the reality. It is the only thing they know of in their entire life. The humans trapped in the matrix are like the prisoners in the cave. The things of the world that they see are controlled by the Machines.

Few people from the Matrix were freed by the One to continue the unfinished construction of the city of Zion. The One is also known by the humans ,who are aware of the Matrix, as their savior. They are able to be release from the illusion of what is real and see the real world with their own eyes. Similarly, the prisoners in the cave who are freed from their chains are free to walk around in the cave. They come to realize that what they had seen on the wall is not reality after all and there is more than meets the eye. They then proceed to convince the prisoners to know the truth behind the shadows like how the people who are living in the real world tried to save the human race from the Matrix.

The word 'Zion' originated from the Holy Bible
"And the king and his men went to Jerusalem against the Jebusites, the inhabitants of the land, who said to David, "You will not come in here, but the blind and the lame will ward you off" - thinking, "David cannot come in here." Nevertheless David took the stronghold of Zion, that is, the city of David ... And David dwelt in the stronghold, and called it the city of David. And David built the city round about from the Millo inward. And David became greater and greater, for The Lord, the God of hosts, was with him." (2 Samuel 5:6-7,9-10 RSV)


According to the book of 2 Samuel in the bible, it is where King David built his palace. It is also a holy place as it says in Psalms 132:13, For the LORD has chosen Zion, he has desired it for his dwelling.

I think the writer for the Matrix was trying to portray the holiness and exquisiteness of the last city of the human race by using the name Zion. It is where their Savior will come again and save the rest of human race from the lie they had been living in. But meanwhile, he had chosen the special few to finish the unfinished work 'outside the cave' to allow the people to live in it when he comes again. 

How the matrix fits Plato's Allegory the cave and monomyth

Kong Mun Yee 1200644

How the matrix fits Plato's Allegory the cave  and monomyth

As we now plato's the cave describing a group of people who been chained and live in the cave for long time and just watching on the shadow that projected on the wall. they believe the shadow rather than the truth
In the movie matrix , the main character Thomas Anderson who is one of the" prisoner" of the plato's cave in the beginning of the movie. The cave here describe in this movie is the real world that we familiar with, which they call that is the matrix which known as an illusion that the computer set in the human brain. Thomas Anderson plays two role in his character one is the ordinary worker in a company and the another character is the hacker , Neo. Neo who believe is the real self of him, from my perspective Thomas Anderson doesn't like what he do in his "ordinary world" he pretending what Thomas Anderson should do. Then he came out with another characteristic --Neo. He search alot of information of Morpheus. and seek for an "answer".Then a woman -- Trinity came to him she told him that he is in danger and ask he to come along with her. Thomas Anderson received a call from Morpheus to seek for the truth. then Morpheus tell him the truth that the world he familiar with is not the real world. then Morpheus give Neo a chance either to get out from the fake world to seek for the truth or just go back to his ordinary life -- (back to the cave). Neo choose to get out from the cave and seek for the truth, then the hero's journey began.
Neo undergoes with several of trials, he accept a lot of training to encounter the challenge. Then he met with an old woman Oracle(means the predictor) . She foresee the future of Neo, she soothsaying that Neo wasn't the one and he will make a choice either Morpheus or Neo will die. Neo came out with conclusion that he will change the fate.
In this movie, there is one character that alluded the "prisoner" that couldn't accept the truth and want to get back to the cave, which is Cypher in the end he betrayed his partner and request to get back to the fake world. he said that he choose to live in the fake world is better than stay at the truth he choose to forget everything about the truth. He attempt to kill the one who dragged him out from the cave who is Morpheus. He blame atMorpheus that he willing forever stay at the fake world is more "real" than the real world.
there is another creature in this movie that plays the role in the plato's cave which is the one who projecting the shadow to the prisoner -- the sentient program. They play a role of controlling and protect the ecosystem of the matrix. the demolish the traitor --Morpheus and his company.They transfuse the fake information and conceal the truth from the people.
In the end of the story, Neo successfully transformed himself and change his fate to become the savior the Morpheus believe. Neo choose to believe the true world and begin his journey of the savior.

Morpheus -- is the god of dream in the Greek Mythology, He an take any human form appear in dream. The name is suitable in this character of Morpheus, he is the one who call Neo and bring him to the dream which is not a dream.

Neo--In greek ancient νέος mean new, young and fresh.

Allegory of the cave

 Kong Mun Yee 1200644

Allegory of the cave-- Plato's cave. Describing a group of people who lived in a cave and been chained to the wall. their only facing the blank wall with the shadow projecting on the wall. To these people, they just believe in what they have been transfused in what they seen on the wall. They don't realize the truth behind the shadow. Then Plato's socrates describe this group of people is like "prisoner", he explained the when the prisoner freed from the cave and came to understand what that they seen and known in the cave is not reality is just a shadow of the truth.
The people who freed, will get out from the cave and explore to the world with real sunlight. There are two possibility, one will stand up and face the true world that he doesn't know at all. but the another possibility will be the one who freed from the cave would believe that the shadow on the wall is more real than the what he sees from the outside world. For me, Plato's cave is just like a comfort zone, people attempt to stay at this comfort zone rather than get out from here and face the reality that he might  totally unfamiliar with it.

The scene that I like the most in the movie 'Gladiator'

Chew Bert Zian 1105245

The scene I like the most is at the beginning of the movie, where the scene show the great skill of Maximus, as a general, controlling and directing his army to win the war.
This scene show the characteristic of Maximus, which is intelligent, brave, and confident, and is respected by all his followers.
He make sure all his army is in position, and then waited their enemy to appear and then surround them by leading his army from another site. The way he plan for this war is the key elements of their army to win the war.
He impressed me by the way he lead his army, it is so brilliant and I feel that he is too good to just be a general.
After the war, Maximus is being asked by the old emperor to take over his place and be the next ruler  instead of his son, this show that Maximus also being trusted by the emperor.

The starting of the movie is very interesting and exciting which attracted me desiring to continue watch the movie, but the only thing I don't like about the movie is the crucial and extremely bloody scene.

LimPeiWen  1106637

This scene is about the general  Maximus Decimus Meridias has won the Battle of Zama  in Colosseum.
And the Emperor ask what his name is ,"My name is gladiator ".Maximus said. Then,Maximus slowly turns around and begins to walk back to the other gladiators.The commudus forced him.
And he remove the helmet and turn face to Commudus, "My name is Maximus Decimus Meridius. Commander of the armies of the North,loyal servant to the true emperor Marcus Aurelius. Father to a murdered son, husband to a murdered wife, and I will have my vengeance in this life or the next.
I was excited when saw this scene.And Commudus 's face turn to shock and curious because he wonder why he still alive.
This is also a peak and turning of the story.
Because the Commudus is cruel,people who no obey him will be harmed.Because Maximus just a general,
and he loyal to his country,he won't be kill the emperor.And this is time to duel face to face.
Very happy because the Maximus can revenge on his enemy.
Although he his lung was punctured by Commudus, he still can bear the hurt and beats Commodus into submission and kills him with his own stilletto.
Tenacity of will, fearless, brave spirit of Maximus, had learnt and taught people a lot.

Ng Ruo Xin
1104814

My favourite scene from the movie 'Gladiator'

It would have to be the grand finale. All the emotions and vengeance at its peak, it was just 'BOOMZ!'. Though I was deeply crushed when Maximus didn't get to succeed in his escape plan, the suspense kept me watching. The strong character in him really encourages people to live out the best in them and fight for what and who they love most. Maximus had every reason to give up his fight. Still, at the last battle, wounded beforehand, his true courage was shown. He was strong because his faith gave him strength. Emotionally, that was what kept him pushing forward and got him his victory. As he took his last breath, he can rest knowing that he had not fought in vain. For his country, for his emperor, for his family, those were the reasons why he could surrender his life so completely for the arena and battlefield.

Strength and Honour!

The scene that I like the most in the movie 'Gladiator'

Kong Mun Yee 1200644

The movie "Gladiator " , the most unforgettable scene for me which is the scene when the Marcus Aurelius the emperor of Rome was talking with Maximus Decimus Meridius the general. that scene was showing the emperor who know himself would die soon and he wishes to grant temporary leadership to Maximus before he die. in the conversation, the emperor asked : "why are we here. " then Maximus answered that they are here because of the empire of Rome. the emperor said that 25years gone in his life time for the empire. But he only tested the peace in the last four years within 20 years, and "All for what" This phrase really inspired and give me a very deep impression of it. Then the emperor asked again what is the purpose of your whole life? sacrificed for the roman ? worth it ? This scene are really throw us a lot of question of our life. Even the emperor who create the land of Rome which deny his own achievement. He proclaim that he bring death and nothing more. By the way the Emperor Marcus Aurelius is the character that most impressed me in the whole movie, because of the thoughtful , wisdom and the humbleness that can been found in his character.

Besides that, there was a lot of Roman portraiture in the scene. through the research that is the era which in the development of art portrait. they usually made for specific person such as an emperor or god and usually made from marble and bronze.

The scene that I like the most in the movie 'Gladiator'

Goh Pang Hong (1103926)


After I watched the movie 'Gladiator', I found out that the scene that I like the most is the scene where he fought in the gladiator games with his comrades. This is because I really like action and violence scenes and the battles showed in this scene is really fascinating. Every moment in this scene is so real and fantastic, that's what make me like this scene. In this scene, Maximus is able to show his overwhelming leadership and fighting skills to win against their opponents as well, which really shows us what a capable general he is. In this scene, Maximus said "We stay together, we survive" before the start of one of the gladiator game is really very well said too, I like that line very much. There are other scenes that I like in the movie but this is the scene that I like the most.