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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What fear does Aristophanes have before making his speech?

2. Where does Phaedrus think that Achilles was sent after his death?

3. According to Phaedrus, who are Love's parents?

4. Who firsts requests drinking in moderation at the party?

5. How does Pausanius describe the countries of Elis and Boeotia?

Short Essay Questions

1. How well does Apollodorus know Socrates in order to verify the information of what took place at the Symposium?

2. How does Socrates first appear when he is introduced in the Symposium?

3. What do Socrates and Aristodemus talk about on the way to the house and what is Aristodemus' dilemma?

4. Where is Socrates when Aristodemus arrives at Agathon's house?

5. What musical example does Eryximachus use to explain the difference between good and bad relationships?

6. How is the story of the Symposium introduced and who is responsible for telling it?

7. How is Aristodemus' dilemma resolved when he and Socrates arrive at the party?

8. How does Phaedrum describe love at the beginning of his speech?

9. According to Aristophanes, how did humans begin to walk upright?

10. What might be seen as controversial about Pausanias' speech?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the parallels between love and music that Eryximachus makes in his speech. Include several examples of how love and music are similar and why Eryximachus uses music as an effective metaphor in analyzing the way that love works.

Essay Topic 2

Socrates' introduction establishes his personality and reputation.

1) Describe how Socrates is first introduced as he talks with Aristodemus.

2) Explain why Socrates fears crowds and how that adds to his philosophical demeanor.

3) Describe the topics of conversation between Socrates and Aristodemus on their way to the party, the people quoted, and the points made.

4) Explain how and why Socrates disappears upon arriving at Agathon's house.

Essay Topic 3

Diotima teaches Socrates about love and Socrates relates what he has learned to the guests at the Symposium.

1) Describe the definition of love that Socrates begins his speech with, as well as how he reached his opinion.

2) Discuss what Socrates thinks the characteristics of love are, along with why and how they contradict Agathon's speech.

3) Explain the reasons why Socrates believes that love is a spirit.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 900 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample