The story of Laocoon

?The story of Laocoon

As we grow up and grow old, we realize that most sacred creeds are lies. Once we realize these lies, they become obvious. If they are so obvious, why the lies persist, many for thousands of years? There are people, though few in number, who try to expose, or question the lies. But their careers, families, and lives often get destroyed. Laocoon was such an example.

There is a famous Laocoon sculpture in Vatican Museum, which has a huge collection. In the sculpture, Laocoon and his two sons were being killed by two sea serpents. His crime? For warning against his fellow Trojans to bring the wooden horse into the city. This angered the gods, who favored the Greeks. Laocoon, and his sons, were ordered to be killed for Laocoon was obstructing the gods’ will. When Trojans saw Laocoon and his sons were helplessly destroyed, no one dared to question their good fortune. They duly brought in the wooden horse, celebrated their victory, and got slaughtered. 

Why few question the obvious lies? It is better off not to question. If you question, your careers, your families, and your lives get destroyed immediately, as we observe Laocoon’s anguish from the sculpture. If you don’t question, you enjoy good life for several more days, several more years, several more generations, or several thousand more generations. 

You might say, Laocoon’s story eventually gets preserved. It has everlasting value. But a truth is preserved because it forms part of a bigger lie, or myth. Rome, the legend goes, was founded by a Trojan prince, who was a nephew of Laocoon. He was the only one who heeded the warning of Laocoon and escaped, eventually, to Rome. He founded Rome, which rose to prominence and overshadowed Greece over time.