The Distance

In the allegory, Plato describes the soul as a charioteer driving a chariot pulled by two winged horses. The horses represent different aspects of human nature:

1. The Noble Horse: This horse is noble and represents the rational, spirited part of the soul. It is obedient to the charioteer and is driven by honour and a thirst for truth. It symbolizes our rational desires, which can understand the good and are aligned with moral virtues.
2. The Dark Horse: The second horse is the opposite; it's unruly and represents the irrational, appetitive part of the soul, which is driven by lust, greed, and other base desires. It symbolizes our irrational desires, which are focused on bodily pleasures and immediate gratification.
The Charioteer represents the intellectual and rational part of the soul, whose task is to lead and harmonize the horses, steering them towards enlightenment and the forms

The journey of the chariot is symbolic of the soul's struggle to achieve a true understanding. The noble horse is naturally inclined towards the heights, but the dark horse drags the chariot down. The charioteer must struggle to control both horses and guide them upwards, which is an analogy for the struggle of the individual to master his lower desires and reach the truth.