The “New Moon,” a film that is based on Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight series uses humans and some imaginary groups to tell the story that led me to think about how Plato, who is the ancient philosopher and the author of the Republic, defined soul. He said, “Soul is the immortal self, which is indestructible. Soul consists of three parts: reason, appetite, and spirit.”
The characters of the “New Moon” include Bella, the main character, who is human but is in a relationship with Edward, one of the vampires. Bella begs Edward to change her into a vampire. Other vampires trick Bella so that they can get her, but Edward protects her. Intending to spare Bella’s soul from being snatched by the vampires, Edward leaves Bella brokenhearted.
At Edward’s absence, Bella develops depression. She spends more time with a schoolmate, Jake, who eventually joins the wolves. The wolves have supernatural powers and they patrol in the woods to protect people from the vampires. Bella reflects on joining the vampires so that she can be united with Edward. Bella goes to the world of the vampires to save Edward, who was about to commit suicide. The vampires have the ability to read each one’s thoughts but they are unable to read Bella’s; they’re frustrated because her “soul” is an obstacle. This movie stretches the imagination to what Plato meant about three parts of the soul.
For Plato, reason knows reality and it make decisions. Bella is human and she makes free choices. She does not consider the reality that she and Edward are from different worlds and that the vampires will always disturb their relationship. Appetite is due to loneliness and this is the reason Bella starts a relationship with Jake. She is unsure whether she will wait for Edward or go with Jake just for pleasure. She is attending to her current emotions and appetitive, the part of the soul composed of the instinctive cravings. Spirit, according to Plato, is demonstrated by mental conflicts. On her search for Edward, she becomes mad at herself; she realizes how foolish she is. She is reckless. Led by suicidal thoughts, she throws herself in the river but, on the other hand, she is happy once she is rescued. This movie makes me wonder what can help a teenage girl who is as secretive as Bella to achieve a balanced life. For Plato, when all these parts of the soul are in balance a person is spiritually and mentally healthy.
Compiled by: Nikiwe Ngcongo
The characters of the “New Moon” include Bella, the main character, who is human but is in a relationship with Edward, one of the vampires. Bella begs Edward to change her into a vampire. Other vampires trick Bella so that they can get her, but Edward protects her. Intending to spare Bella’s soul from being snatched by the vampires, Edward leaves Bella brokenhearted.
At Edward’s absence, Bella develops depression. She spends more time with a schoolmate, Jake, who eventually joins the wolves. The wolves have supernatural powers and they patrol in the woods to protect people from the vampires. Bella reflects on joining the vampires so that she can be united with Edward. Bella goes to the world of the vampires to save Edward, who was about to commit suicide. The vampires have the ability to read each one’s thoughts but they are unable to read Bella’s; they’re frustrated because her “soul” is an obstacle. This movie stretches the imagination to what Plato meant about three parts of the soul.
For Plato, reason knows reality and it make decisions. Bella is human and she makes free choices. She does not consider the reality that she and Edward are from different worlds and that the vampires will always disturb their relationship. Appetite is due to loneliness and this is the reason Bella starts a relationship with Jake. She is unsure whether she will wait for Edward or go with Jake just for pleasure. She is attending to her current emotions and appetitive, the part of the soul composed of the instinctive cravings. Spirit, according to Plato, is demonstrated by mental conflicts. On her search for Edward, she becomes mad at herself; she realizes how foolish she is. She is reckless. Led by suicidal thoughts, she throws herself in the river but, on the other hand, she is happy once she is rescued. This movie makes me wonder what can help a teenage girl who is as secretive as Bella to achieve a balanced life. For Plato, when all these parts of the soul are in balance a person is spiritually and mentally healthy.
Compiled by: Nikiwe Ngcongo