플라톤의 동굴의 비유로 본 영화 '매트릭스': 자유와 진실의 의미 재고

This article analyzes a 1999 film The Matrix, directed by Larry and Andy Wachowski, in the frame of Plato`s allegory of the cave. In Plato`s allegory of the cave, this article particularly focuses on the part where the prisoner goes back to the cave after being released from his chains, in order to let other prisoners know the truth. Why is the truth important to know and why should the truth be shared? Why does Neo, the protagonist in The Matrix, have to liberate others? While trying to answer to the questions, this article examines the meaning of liberation and truth, through the allegorical connection between the film and Plato`s allegory of the cave. In order to analyze both the film and the allegory of the cave, this article delves into Heidegger`s concept of authenticity. This article also argues that differentiating hyperreality from reality is not as simple as the film`s binarism between the matrix and reality represented by a levitating ship called Nebuchadnezzar. As Heidegger observes that there is also fire(the truth) in the cave(a false reality), this article includes the matrix in the realm of reality, rather than defining the matrix as opposing to reality.