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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. How does Socrates compare death to sleep?

2. What famous text succeeded in tarnishing Socrates' reputation, dealing him a blow in his trial?

3. How does Socrates characterize the normal Athenian's pursuit of the good life?

4. Who does Euthyphro compare to himself and his father?

5. Why special connection do Socrates and Euthyphro share?

Short Essay Questions

1. Who are the characters of Euthyphro? What is the setting?

2. What is Socrates' initial reaction to the first definition of piety provided in Euthyphro?

3. Is Socrates innocent or guilty of the charges against him, in the eyes of Athens and its legal system?

4. What flaw does Socrates then find in the reasoning he laid out in previous Question #9?

5. What second definition of piety is offered by Euthyphro in Euthyphro?

6. How does Socrates use the concept of love to refute the initial definition of piety provided in Euthyphro?

7. What is the nature of the legal troubles the characters in Euthyphro are involved in?

8. What is Socrates' second response to the charge that he has corrupted Athens' youth?

9. According to Socrates, what reputation does he suffer from in Athens? How is this reputation related to Aristophanes' Clouds?

10. What final definition of piety is arrived at by the end of Euthyphro?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Apology, Socrates makes it a point to discuss oratorical skills.

1) How does Socrates characterize his own oratorical skills? How does he characterize the oratorical skills of his accusers?

2) Why is Socrates' speech style both a boon and a hindrance, according to him?

3) How does Socrates relate his speech style to a large comment on the philosopher's place in society? Why does a philosopher's speech create antagonism within a society?

Essay Topic 2

In the dialogue Crito, Crito and Socrates have a disagreement.

1) What is the nature of the disagreement between Crito and Socrates? How does Crito believe Socrates behaved in the trial?

2) What is Socrates response to Crito? Why does he refuse to go along with Crito's plan to escape from jail?

3) Discuss the emotional implications of Socrates' response to Crito. Is Socrates full of despair and resigned to death? Is he upbeat and looking forward to death?

Essay Topic 3

Discuss the role of Strepsiades in The Clouds. How does he begin the play? What problem does he suffer from? How does he end the play, and what change does he undergo? What is the nature of his relationship with his son? Who does Strepsiades represent, with respect to the citizens of Athens?

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