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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. In Aristophanes' opinion, how are humans originally shaped?

2. What news does Agathon give to Aristodemus when he arrives?

3. In Phaedrus' opinion, which ancient Greek writer agrees with Hesiod's theory?

4. What does Aristophanes state that mankind does not understand?

5. Why do humans walk upright, according to Aristophanes?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What approach does Eryximachus take when speaking about love and how does it differ from the previous speeches?

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

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

5. How many kinds of love does Pausanias claim there are and why?

6. What advice does Eryximachus have for Aristophanes before he starts speaking?

7. What is the description of the creature that Aristophanes gives at the beginning of his speech?

8. Why do Socrates and Agathon argue after Aristophanes' speech?

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

10. What is the setting of the Symposium and the circumstances around it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Apollodorus introduces an interesting notion about the way philosophers and rich people view each other.

1) Describe Apollodorus' general opinion of people and how he got his nickname.

2) Explain why he pities rich men and the reasons why he thinks they also pity him.

3) Analyze how the story might be affected be being told by someone with Apollodorus' views on life.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the questions that Socrates asks Agathon at the beginning of his speech. Include the point of the questions, the logic that Socrates uses, Agathon's responses, and Socrates' purpose for asking them.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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