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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. When does Agathon's sacrifice of victory take place?

2. As used in Eryximachus' speech, what does the word "licentiousness" mean?

3. Where is Socrates before entering Agathon's house?

4. What advice does Eryximachus give to Aristophanes before speaking in Part 3?

5. In Eryximachus' opinion, what can the best physician do?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What is the purpose of love, according to Eryximachus?

3. How is music used by Eryximachus as a metaphor for love?

4. How is Aristodemus' dilemma resolved when he and Socrates arrive at the party?

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

6. What are the different types of the creatures that Aristophanes speaks about?

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

8. How does Phaedrum describe love at the beginning of his speech?

9. How does Orpheus become an example used by Phaedrus to depict what not to do?

10. What is the difference in the loves that Pausanias describes?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the two types of love that Pausanias describes in his speech. What are their characteristics, the way they are both applied, and what Pausanias thinks the origin of love is. Also, describe the examples that Pausanias provides to support his theory.

Essay Topic 2

Analyze the way Plato decides to tell the story of the Symposium. Include the effects of having a story delivered from a second-hand account, why Apollodorus is qualified to recount the events of the party, and how he has been able to confirm the information that Aristodemus provided. Also, explain whether Plato's own opinions of Socrates influence the way the story is presented.

Essay Topic 3

Phaedrus speaks about the way people will fight and/or die for love.

1) Summarize Phaedrus' opinion of love and its ability to motivate people.

2) Describe the story of Alcestis as it is used in Phaedrus' speech.

3) Compare the stories of Achilles and Orpheus in the way they are referenced by Phaedrus.

(see the answer keys)

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