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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. Which one of the following is not included in the things Agathon thinks are associated with love?

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

3. In Agathon's opinion, how does love win?

4. What does Socrates tell Alcibiades about his political efforts?

5. According to Agathon, what effect does love have on bad things?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Socrates' theory of passing on knowledge apply to his own life?

2. What is Socrates' opinion of the speeches he has heard?

3. How does Agathon describe love?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Describe the origin of love and the events leading up to it as they are outlined in the speech given by Socrates. Also, provide an analysis of Socrates' opinions on the resilience of love and how it is a reflection of both of its parents.

Essay Topic 2

Describe the parallels between love and music that Eryximachus makes in his speech. Include several examples of how love and music are similar and why Eryximachus uses music as an effective metaphor in analyzing the way that love works.

Essay Topic 3

Before Socrates starts giving his speech on love, he takes the time to make some observations about the other speeches and preface his own.

1) Analyze Socrates' opinions of the other speeches in general, including the compliments he has for them, along with the way he dismisses them.

2) Describe Socrates' comments about Agathon's speech.

3) Explain the irony in Socrates' assumption that the speeches should contain the truth and the way that he prepares the guests for his speech.

4) Describe why Socrates is compelled to speak the truth as he understands it, his lack of concern for who it might offend, and how that adds to his reputation.

(see the answer keys)

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