The Sword of Damocles

The Sword of Damocles             

From Greek legend

Like Damocles, we also learnt the lesson that unlimited wealth doesn’t certainly bring us happiness and satisfaction, that though a high position has its honor and glory it also has its dangers and that he who would gain mighty power and greatness must be strong and of a good courage. Wealth and fame are attractive of the surface. But we shouldn’t spend our whole life to acquire them. There are many other things to acquire in life.

b. Write the four levels of meanings to the text “The Sword of Damocles”.

Literal comprehension: Dionysius was the tyrant king of Sicily in 4^th century B.C. he was tyrant with his harsh treatment to his subjects. He had strong security to be safe from daily fear of his murex ring. He used to enjoy with reputed people and people with science, letters and arts in general (intellectual people). There were many flatters of Dionysius. Among them Damocles was the oiliest tongued one. Damocles was much greedy who flattered him and interested to sit upon the throne of Sicily with all clothes and respect. The cunning and mighty king Dionysius had known everything of him so he wanted to teach Damocles a wide lesson. He offered Damocles to sit upon his throne when there was banquet (big feast) with all respect. Then he would know how challenging to be in the highest post in the following days. Being curious and boasting over his friends Damocles waited until next day banquet’s time. With high honors Damocles was offered the throne of Sicily. He was excited and enjoyed and ascended with robes varieties of foods and public respect. Sooner he felt headache due to heaviness of golden crown. Again, when he looked upwards he saw a keen sharp edged naked sword was suspended from the roof by a single hair exactly over his head and about to fall upon him. He entreated the king to let him free. But the king never let him free until the banquet was over. When Damocles was free from the throne, he felt (go) the lesson that "boundless wealth doesn’t necessarily bring happiness and satisfaction". Sitting in the high position has glory and honors as well as risk and challenges. To hold strong post, one must be as well courageous and must digest different challenges. (1) undergo (2) though

Interpretation: This marvelous story, based on Greek Legend, might be trying to point out that possessing power and high position is not always comfortable and respectable one rather it is also a matter of risks and challenges. It also may be trying to highlight that boundless wealth and being in powerful position is not necessarily bring happiness and satisfaction. One has to bear great challenge and live at the cost of life. Dionysus, king of Sicily, has thought this moral to flatterer Damocles who had fancy of highest post and power with comfort and satisfaction.

Critical Thinking: this story is based on Greek Legend has great moral lesson that we normally think others, who are in the highest post, are happy and comfortable. But it is not the ground reality. We can’t be fully agreed with the ideas given here in this store. The question we may raise here are:

a.      Isn’t it natural for human to think to sit higher post?

b.      How can sharp edged sword be hung with a single hair?

c.       Can we find such tyrant king at present?

Even then the moral aspect of this story is not disagreeable one.

Assimilation: After going through this story, I got the ideas that we shouldn’t be greedy and envious to other who are power holder and envious live in higher posts. Though that seems glorious, there can be high risk of life. Higher post people live with great fear and risky of life like Damocles in this story.

c. Do you agree with writer of “Damocles sword” that boundless wealth doesn’t necessarily bring happiness and satisfaction”?

Yes, I agree with the writer of “Damocles sword” that boundless wealth doesn’t bring only happiness and satisfaction. The highest post possesses the highest risk he has to bear to. Outwardly, we can think that to sit in the highest post and possess power is a matter of satisfaction and comfort but, reality is not so. The people with boundless wealth and property live a life full of risks and danger.

We can also observe the so-called higher post people of our country. They go here and there with strong security. They are always full of tension when they will be at danger. This statement also points out that high rank power and wealth are source of dissatisfaction and danger. The one who is living simple life lives freely and happily. The rich and well-to-do people always fear thinking that anytime they could be victim of someone. Sometimes to handle highest post one needs courage and strong heart. The chicken- hearted persons can’t do anything good though they are holding respectable post and are with plenty of wealth.

When we consider this quotation or statement, we can draw a conclusion that people cannot be fully satisfied with money or wealth. Not they are happy with power and higher post either. To handle them one must be courageous and bold hearted. One must be tyrant to some extent to keep the dignity and power like of Dionysus of Sicily.