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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 does Philosophy tell Boethius after giving her example of happiness?

2. Why does Boethius suffer according to the woman?

3. Who does the woman compare Boethius to?

4. Why does Philosophy praise Boethius' sons?

5. Why is Boethius in jail?

Short Essay Questions

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

2. Why does Boethius disagree with the woman regarding misery and what is her rebuttal?

3. What is significant about the changing height of the woman who enters Boethius' cell?

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

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

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

7. What does the woman tell Boethius regarding his suffering?

8. Why is the way that the woman describes Boethius' achievement in comparison to the world significant?

9. What is the significance of the title, "The Consolation of Philosophy"?

10. Why does Boethius praise God?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Although providence can prove difficult to understand, it can be explained as the reason of God and the order of the universe. Discuss what Boethius believes about God's plan for the world and how it relates to fate. Students should use examples from the text to support their discussion.

Essay Topic 2

In Book V, Boethius addresses free will. Based on "The Consolation of Philosophy", address how God can be all knowing yet allow free will. Students should use the text to support their conclusions.

Essay Topic 3

Discuss how Lady Philosophy defines chance in "The Consolation of Philosophy" and analyze why Lady Philosophy rejects chance as defined as a random or arbitrary force. Discuss the other definitions of chance discussed and use the text to support your statements.

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This section contains 845 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample