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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 to make her point about fortune?

2. Who does the woman compare Boethius to?

3. What type of clothing is the woman wearing?

4. What does Philosophy tell Boethius after giving her example of happiness?

5. Where does Boethius usually study before going to prison?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. What does Lady Philosophy disagree with his view on providence at the end of Book 1?

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

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

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

7. What is the significance of the woman's discussion with Boethius on blessings when Boethius complains about the tangibility of his pain?

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

9. What does the woman say about Fortune not being malicious at the end of Book II?

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 2

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 3

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.

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This section contains 914 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample