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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 the woman share Boethius' cell?

2. What does Philosophy say of the wealth Fortune gives away?

3. Who were the two men the woman compares Boethius to persecuted by?

4. What is Boethius forced to do after hearing Philosophy's arguments?

5. What is Boethius' first thought on why the woman came in his cell?

Short Essay Questions

1. Why does the woman urge Boethius to break his silence?

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

3. At the start of Book 1 of "The Consolation of Philosophy", where is Boethius and what is he doing?

4. What is significant about conscience in Book 1?

5. Based on the woman's argument, why are material goods inherently valueless?

6. Why does Boethius praise God?

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the analogy of God being like a craftsman in "The Consolation of Philosophy". Define analogy in your essay and discuss what this analogy means, supporting your statements with examples from the book.

Essay Topic 2

In "The Consolation of Philosophy", Boethius clearly emphasizes how the pursuits of the flesh that are pleasing to the body are worthless and meaningless. Analyze Boethius' discussion of denying pleasures of the flesh and how nothing on earth can provide true happiness, using the text to support your statements.

Essay Topic 3

One of the metaphysical principles discussed in "The Consolation of Philosophy" is the notion that the perfect causes the imperfect so that something must first possess what it causes. Discuss whether or not this is true and argue your case with a specific example, using textual references to support your stance.

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This section contains 800 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample