Analysis Of The Book ' The Great Gatsby ' By F. Scott...
"I have a better right to command, men of Athens, than another..." (Thucydides p.111). This simple excerpt from Thucydides is much more than a subtle gesture of self–acclamation, it is the thesis for the life of Alcibiades. For he truly, to his core, believed he was special, apart from the average Athenian. Time and time again, we see Alcibiades go to extremes to achieve the essence of this very statement. It shines evident that he would stop at nothing to be at the pinnacle of Athenian society, even if Athens refused him he would remain steadfast in attaining his maxim. Along the same lines, the notion of character giving rise to destiny presents itself exquisitely through Alcibiades. The polarity in his character illustrates that the ... Show more content on Helpwriting.net ...Plutarch, so precisely, allows us to delve more deeply into the nature of Alcibiades by shedding light on his lineage.
".... His father, Cleinias, was famous for the part he played in the sea battle at Artemisium in a trireme he had equipped at his own expense, and died later at Coronea in a battle against the Boeotians. Pericles and Ariphron, the sons of Xanthippus, who were closely related to Alcibiades, then became his guardians."(Plutarch. Greek Lives p. 222).
It is evident, given that his father was an acclaimed hoplite and his relation to Pericles himself, Alcibiades has inherited distinguished characteristics such as courage, valor, and charisma. Accordingly, it is especially important to pay close attention to the last sentence Plutarch presents, having an honored individual, Pericles, is sure to have a significant trickle down effect not only through heredity, but also through instillation into the psyche of Alcibiades being so closely tied to a hero.
Yet, lineage sets ground for the possibility of having these qualities of character, but does not assure it. Thus, delving in the manifestation of the character of Alcibiades as would serve as a reassuring gesture to definitively see if these, presumed, characteristics were a thing of reality. A useful anecdote, which Plutarch provides can further illuminate this issue and further bolster certainty,
"He had a highly passionate nature, and his most powerful motivation was the desire
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