According to Middleton, the controversy in deciding who is or is not a martyr stems from the fact that the idea of a martyr is not "clear cut". An example of this controversy revolves around the Islamic suicide bombers. For many people in countries where Islam is the practiced religion, they are known as martyrs. But to most Americans, they are regarded as terrorists. One person's idea of a martyr may vary greatly from another person's idea of a martyr. There is also a difference of opinion regarding the instance in which someone kills themselves and also murders other people in the act is not a martyr, they are a terrorist. To some people a martyr only sacrifices himself and does not bring others along with him unwillingly. Another problem with defining martyrdom is the fact that the dictionaries are little to no help. Their definitions do not properly coincide with Christianity, Judaism and Islamic ideals of what a martyr is.
The image in the slideshow that I have selected to discuss is the first image with Socrates drinking the hemlock poison. In this picture, Socrates appears to be less upset with his inevitable demise than his followers around him who are all covering their faces and appear to be in despair. From what I have learned about Socrates, it is no wonder that he is depicted as facing death fearlessly for it is an area in which he has yet to discover. Education and wisdom were very important to Socrates, so it does not surprise me that he would welcome learning about the afterlife first hand.
If I were to write a martyr story about this image, I would definitely highlight Socrates' accomplishments in life and in death. Socrates was ordered to be put to death for corrupting the youth while he was alive, and he continued to be influential even in death. The death of Socrates did not achieve the expected outcome by the Athenian court, in fact Socrates continued to have followers long after his death.