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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. In Socrates' opinion, what usually happens to the children of people who invent laws?

2. What is the source of the Platonic Dialogues?

3. What general definition of Love does Diotima provide?

4. What does Diotima compare Love to in explaining its features?

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

Short Essay Questions

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

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. In Socrates' opinion, what does a person's achievements have to do with love, and which example does he use?

5. How does Agathon describe love?

6. What is Alcibiades' condition when he interrupts the party, and what does he encourage the other guests to do?

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

Analyze the questions that Socrates asks Agathon at the beginning of his speech. Include the point of the questions, the logic that Socrates uses, Agathon's responses, and Socrates' purpose for asking them.

(see the answer keys)

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