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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. Why does Philosophy say no-one can truly be happy in life?

2. What does Philosophy tell Boethius concerning what he thinks about Fortune?

3. Who is the woman in the cell with Boethius?

4. How tall is the woman that appears in Boethius' cell?

5. Why is Boethius in jail?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does the woman remind Boethius of in regards to the events and his attitude?

2. Why would Boethius choose not to mention the Bible in "The Consolation of Philosophy"?

3. Who does the woman compare herself to and what is her identity?

4. What is significant about conscience in Book 1?

5. According to Lady Philosophy, what was on loan to him and subject to being revoked?

6. Why does Boethius praise God?

7. Why does the woman believe Boethius is responsible for his own suffering?

8. What does Boethius believe about happiness, according to Book II and how does this relate to Christian thinking?

9. What diagnosis does the Lady Philosophy make and what does she point out at the beginning of Book II?

10. Who does the woman liken Boethius to and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Greek philosophers had a strong impact on the development of Boethius' philosophical tenets. Discuss the influence Plato, Cicero and other philosophers had on Boethius. Discuss how philosophy influenced his faith and whether Christianity undermines or supports his beliefs. Use the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

Boethius wrote "The Consolation of Philosophy" while imprisoned and awaiting execution. Discuss the nature of the crimes for which Boethius was imprisoned and how the circumstances surrounding his imprisonment may have contributed to his state of mind when composing the book. Students should take the title into consideration and use examples from the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 3

Boethius was influenced by Stoicism. Discuss the influence that Stoicism had on Boethius and his writing of "The Consolation of Philosophy". Students may use secondary sources as well as a primary text to develop their conclusions.

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