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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. As explained by Socrates, which images can the young philosopher understand and reproduce?

2. According to Socrates, what ideas can a man become "pregnant" with?

3. How does Socrates view people in Alcibiades' view?

4. Why does Socrates object to Alcibiades' idea for a speech?

5. Where is Diotima, Socrates' teacher, from?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. As explained by Socrates, what is the confusing part of love and what are some of the different kinds of love that exist?

3. How does Agathon describe love?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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.

Essay Topic 2

Explain how the subject of love is decided as the main topic for the speeches given at the Symposium. Be sure to include whose idea it was, how it was suggested, how the guests and Socrates, in particular, respond, and what conditions were agreed upon before the speeches begin.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

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