Part 8/14:
Throughout the film, there are undercurrents of patriotism and militarism. Critics point out that 300 portrays Sparta’s fight against Persia as a struggle for freedom, yet the society itself was inherently undemocratic, ruled by a king and engaging in violence and social purging—including the killing of non-conforming infants. This paradox raises questions about the film’s portrayal of what it means to be "free" and whether historical accuracy is sacrificed for dramatic or ideological purposes.