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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. What does Eryximachus believe to be the source of pestilence and destruction in nature?

2. According to Socrates, who changes proverbs about Agamemnon and Menelaus?

3. How many legs does man have in the beginning, according to Aristophanes?

4. Which one of the following is not an example that Eryximachus uses to describe the hostile elements?

5. What is Aristodemus concerned about as he and Socrates go to the party?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What might be seen as controversial about Pausanias' speech?

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

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

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

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

7. How is the subject of the speeches at the Symposium decided?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

As Eryximachus concludes his speech, he discusses the effect love can have on things besides humans.

1) Describe Eryximachus' theory on how love can affect nature and the seasons, including examples.

2) Explain Eryximachus' definition of astrology and how love is involved with the order of the stars.

3) Based on the thoughts presented in Eryximachus' speech, describe the effect love can have on religion and worship.

Essay Topic 2

Explain the way that humans were created and developed, according to Aristophanes' speech. Include the descriptions of the creatures themselves, the purposes for the changes made to them, and how they formed relationships and married. Also, analyze how the speech by Aristophanes might highlight a broader point about the need for answers during the time of the Ancient Greeks.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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