# Plato — Culture and Anarchy character guide

> Plato in Culture and Anarchy by Matthew Arnold.

**Role:** minor

**Also known as:** Plato

**First appearance:** 0002-culture-and-anarchy

## Who they are

Greek philosopher whose ideas on beauty and truth underpin the concept of culture.

## Relationships

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/narrator)

_psychological_

Plato is a foundational philosophical influence for the narrator, representing the ideal of culture and the pursuit of perfection.

### [Narrator](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/narrator)

_psychological_

Plato is a foundational philosophical influence for the narrator, representing the ideal of culture and the pursuit of perfection.

## In the story

### [Barbarians, Philistines, Populace](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iii-barbarians-philistines-populace)

Quoted for the expression 'with the things of itself and not its real self' regarding the working class.

### [IV: Hebraism and Hellenism](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/chapters/iv-hebraism-and-hellenism)

Mentioned as a representative of Hellenism, contrasted with St. Paul on the nature of human perfection.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters/plato
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/culture_and_anarchy_se/characters