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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 kind of literature does Agathon thank love for inspiring?

2. How does Alcibiades claim that Socrates assaulted him?

3. What does Alcibiades assure Socrates of before he begins speaking?

4. Where does Diotima think that Love sleeps?

5. As explained by Socrates, what is the drive for immortality related to?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. What are the statues of Silenus and why does Alcibiades include them in his speech?

3. What does love have the power to do, according to Agathon?

4. What is the purpose of the questions that Socrates asks Agathon at the beginning of his speech and on what point do they agree?

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

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

9. How does Agathon describe love?

10. What suggestion does Alcibiades make, why does Socrates object to it, and how does Alcibiades convince him to allow it?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The main function and purpose of love is explained by Socrates at the end of his speech.

1) Analyze Socrates' theory on love's main purpose and the way he thinks that it can lead humans to immortality.

2) Describe the practice of higher learning that Diotima taught Socrates, how a person can become a philosopher, and the important realization they need to make along the way.

3) Explain Socrates' ideas about pregnancy and the way people are remembered, including the examples that he provides.

4) Describe the "hypothesis of the higher hypothesis" by Socrates and the way it relates to the true power of love.

Essay Topic 2

Compare and contrast the different speeches given at the Symposium.

1) Analyze the similarities between Socrates' speech and Eryximachus' speech as well as what the main difference was between the two.

2) Explain which speeches had the most differences and why.

3) Describe the speech or speeches that you think made the most sense and/or contained the most important information.

Essay Topic 3

Eryximachus' speech features a departure in the approach of the topic, love.

1) Describe how Eryximachus takes Aristophanes' place in the order of speeches and why.

2) Explain Erystimachus' scientific approach to love, including the role it has in medicine and health.

3) Analyze the major differences in the speeches that took place before Eryximachus' speech and the one that he delivers.

(see the answer keys)

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