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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 complaint does the drunken Alcibiades have at the end of Part 7?

2. According to Diotima's explanation, what will beasts die to protect?

3. What example does Socrates use as a tale that has lived throughout generations?

4. In Agathon's opinion, what does love compel people to do?

5. According to Agathon, who can love capture?

Short Essay Questions

1. What accusation does Alcibiades make against Socrates and why?

2. According to Socrates, what is the origin of love?

3. How does Agathon disagree with Phaedrus in the beginning of his speech and why?

4. At the conclusion of his speech, what does Socrates states is the true power or purpose of love?

5. What does Socrates think the function of love is?

6. Who is Diotima and what is significant about the experience Socrates had with her?

7. What is the definition that Socrates gives of love?

8. How does Diotima help Socrates understand how a person can become a philosopher through love?

9. Why does Socrates believe that love cannot be beautiful or ugly, and what analogy does he use?

10. Why does Socrates think that love is a spirit?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Diotima teaches Socrates about love and Socrates relates what he has learned to the guests at the Symposium.

1) Describe the definition of love that Socrates begins his speech with, as well as how he reached his opinion.

2) Discuss what Socrates thinks the characteristics of love are, along with why and how they contradict Agathon's speech.

3) Explain the reasons why Socrates believes that love is a spirit.

Essay Topic 2

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 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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