# Plato — Essays character guide

> Plato in Essays by Henry David Thoreau.

**Role:** minor

**First appearance:** 0021-on-the-duty-of-civil-disobedience

## Who they are

Greek philosopher; referenced in discussions of ideal forms.

## In the story

### [II: What Music Shall We Have?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/ii-what-music-shall-we-have)

Quoted regarding the divine purpose of music to harmonize the soul.

### [Life Without Principle](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/chapters/life-without-principle)

Mentioned in a rhetorical question about whether he got his living better than his contemporaries, highlighting the theme of wisdom versus livelihood.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters/plato
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/essays_2_se/characters