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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. According to Socrates, why should experts be obeyed?

2. Citizens could not be good individuals without what?

3. At a party, over what subject do Strepsiades and Pheidippides fight?

4. Who replaces Strepsiades in his training with Socrates?

5. What do experts have to do with laws?

Short Essay Questions

1. According to Socrates, why must experts always be obeyed?

2. What represents the "last straw" in Strepsiades' relationship with his son? Why does he refuse to speak to him in the end?

3. What are the consequences of breaking the law?

4. How does Strepsiades react to Socrates' course of study in the Thinkery? How does Socrates in turn respond to Strepsiades?

5. Given Crito's criticism of Socrates, what segment of society can Crito be said to represent?

6. What is the nature of Strepsiades' most pressing problem? What does he hope to learn from Socrates? What does Socrates in turn teach him?

7. What gives law authority, according to Socrates?

8. What violent action does Pheidippides visit upon his father? How does Pheidippides justify his action?

9. Who is Strepsiades? Why does he enter Socrates' Thinkery?

10. In Apology, what is Socrates' message in a final speech, both to his jurors and to those who defended him?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Socrates provides his way of life as evidence of his innocence in the trial of Apology.

1) What is Socrates' "way of life"? How does his way of life relate to the "central question" of life, as he sees it?

2) Why does Socrates compare himself to Achilles, with respect to his way of life?

3) Why does Socrates compare himself to an inhuman pest, with respect to his way of life?

Essay Topic 2

There are varying theories about the logic behind Socrates' sometimes odd behavior at trial.

1) How can Socrates' response to Meletus' charge of atheism be considered an example of his weak or odd behavior at trial?

2) How can Socrates' suggestion as to his own punishment be considered an example of his weak or odd behavior at trial?

3) What are three possible theories for why Socrates offered a less than stellar defense in his trial?

Essay Topic 3

The characterization of Socrates is quite different in Plato's dialogues versus Aristophanes' The Clouds. Explain the nature of this difference, using specific examples from each text. This could include personality as well as philosophical beliefs.

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