מצאתי עוד משהו שאולי יעזור לך
זה קצת ארוך ואין לי זמן לתרגם, אבל זה בהחלט יכול לעזור לך. פה כתוב שדווקא פלאטו אמר משהו שהשפיע על פולמן:
One of the defining points in making the His Dark Materials trilogy unique has to be the inclusion of dæmons. The idea of dæmons originated in Ancient (500 B.C.) Greece, by philosopher Empedocles. He spoke of a creature that was a constant partner of man, who completed the idea that a man needs a female side, and a woman a male- hence the difference in gender between dæmon and human. Plato, around 350-420 B.C., told of something "[a]s regards the supreme form of soul in us, we must conceive that the god has conferred it upon each...as a guiding genius [daimon] - that which...lifts us from earth toward our celestial affinity, like a plant whose roots are not in the earth, but in the heavens". This created the idea that the dæmon was a guiding companion- a conscience of sorts, rather than the later religious aspect that dæmons (more commonly known as demons) were an evil spirit designed to hinder the progress of the human they were bound to. However, regardless of the previous two philosophers, we perhaps owe the most to Socrates, who said he owed his creative inspiration to his dæmon alone. More mythology seems to conform to the idea of the existance of dæmons- cedarwood, traditionally and historically a magical wood in legends and old wives tales, has a soporiphic effect on these creatures. The dæmon is by no means restricted to European mythology and religion. American Indian tribes, for instance Sioux, Cherokee, Apache, and so many others have traditions of Spirit Guides that do not appear in the waking state, but in a state of trance, as an animal specific to each person that guides them in a difficult situation, clearly echoing the idea of dæmons. The Australian Aborigines, while there is little mention of spirit guides, revere animals as important beings that should be respected rather than used, again, mirroring the treatment of dæmons in the trilogy. Other examples are shown throughout the globe, and indeed history, which seem to prove that there is some kind of guiding force for each human. While improbable, the idea invariably conveys a sense of security and anticipation to meet this creature. However the dæmon is percieved now (the spelling of the word has changed over the years from the Ancient Greek "Daimon" to the Roman "Dæmon", to the modern "demon", with all the connotations of such), it is clear that Philip Pullman, instead of giving an evil lean to the creatures, has intended the dæmon to be looked upon kindly, as a guide and a conscience for the world of Lyra. It is also clear that Philip Pullman by no means considers this world dæmonless - on the 26th page of The Subtle Knife (Book two of the trilogy), Lyra says: "You have got a dæmon," she said decisively. "Inside you." to Will Parry, who originates from the world that we know. Lyra's dæmon, Pantalaimon, is possibly the best example of what Philip Pullman attempts to convey. He, throughout the three books, is her constant companion - always sharing her thoughts, feelings, and experiences, and guiding her, conscience-like, throughout her adventures. It is unclear as to whether Philip Pullman means dæmons to be physical representations of the conscience, or whether they are something entirely different. The dæmon, while probably only a flight of fancy- a permanent companion that would be nice to have along; still never fails to provoke a sense of longing, however small, in anyone who takes a serious interest in the series.