View a FREE sample

This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. How many sources can fame come from according to Philosophy?

2. What does a poor man need not worry about according to Philosophy?

3. What new need does a rich man have in the example given by Philosophy?

4. Who does Philosophy say was famous for his wicked lifestyle?

5. What does Philosophy do after Boethius tells her what he wished about the evil?

Short Essay Questions

1. How would the desire of bodily pleasures balance themselves out?

2. According to Book IV, how does happiness relate to being powerful or powerless?

3. How does God use providence?

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

5. Why do God's methods defy human reason?

6. What is the error that men run into?

7. 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)?

8. Why should the five goods not be entirely dismissed?

9. What does fame come from, according to Book III of "The Consolation of Philosophy"?

10. Why is Boethius still troubled at the beginning of Book IV and what does Lady Philosophy say?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

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 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

In "The Consolation of Philosophy", discuss Boethius' use of satire and how it benefits the piece of literature. Use the book to support your statements and analyze satire, particularly in the apocalyptic dialogue.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 735 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample