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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. Why does Strepsiades throw Pheidippides a party?

2. Pheidippides recites a text written by which man?

3. Why does Socrates eventually refuse to help Strepsiades?

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

5. How many years after The Clouds did the trial of Socrates happen?

Short Essay Questions

1. What is Crito's opinion of Socrates, following his trial?

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

3. What gives law authority, according to Socrates?

4. Why did Socrates offer such a meek defense and go to prison and his death so willingly?

5. To what degree did The Clouds shape public perception of Socrates?

6. How does Pheidippides enter the Thinkery? What does he learn there?

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

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

9. By the end of The Clouds, how has Strepsiades changed? What are his beliefs?

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

1) What is Socrates' view on wisdom? What is the nature of knowledge? Is there such a thing as objective truth?

2) To what degree can a man attain knowledge? How should a wise man behave? What can one do to seek knowledge?

3) How does Socrates'relate a visit to the oracle at Delphi to his overall perspective on knowledge?

Essay Topic 2

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 3

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?

(see the answer keys)

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