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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. To Socrates, what would illegally breaking out of prison constitute?

2. Why does Strepsiades seek out Socrates?

3. Who is the first person to accuse Socrates of corrupting the youth?

4. On which point in Crito does Socrates differ markedly from his position in Apology?

5. How does Socrates' respond to Crito's worry over Socrates' reputation?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. How can Aristophanes' characterization of Socrates be summed up?

3. What is Crito in relationship to Apology? What is the setting and premise of Crito?

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

5. What does Aristophanes accuse Socrates of in The Clouds?

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

7. Socrates claims that laws result in what benefits to society?

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

9. What reasons does Socrates give for deciding to remain in Athens, rather than escape with Crito?

10. What is the nature of the fight Strepsiades and Pheidippides have when Strepsiades throws a party for his son?

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

1) Explain the Socratic method. How is the method structured? What is the aim of this method? What logic is it based from? Why is Socrates known for this method?

2) Examine the discussion of piety in Euthyphro. How is the Socratic method used in this instance?

3) Examine the discussion of injustice in Crito. How is the Socratic method used in this instance?

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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