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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. How does Fortune sometimes appear to be according to Philosophy?

2. What does nature ordain everything to do according to Philosophy?

3. Why do the wicked fail to be happy?

4. What does Philosophy say of the bodily pleasures?

5. What does Philosophy ask Boethius' permission to do?

Short Essay Questions

1. What has nature ordained, according to Book III and what does this say about man's goal?

2. What is the error that men run into?

3. How does "The Consolation of Philosophy" define fate?

4. What are some of the opinions about what the highest good is, according to the woman?

5. Why do the five goods eventually disappoint their possessors?

6. In light of Christian doctrine, what is the significance of the statement that "there are, some of them extremely harsh, and some, I think, with a purifying mercy"(124)?

7. In Book IV, what can be concluded about the wicked being punished?

8. What does the woman remark about randomness and order?

9. What does the woman remind Boethius of in regards to God's governance?

10. What does the woman liken God to and what is the significance of this analogy?

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

In "The Consolation of Philosophy", Boethius addresses the question of eternity. In an essay, discuss what Boethius means when he says that God is eternal. Use the text to support your discussion.

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