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. Of what does God have a perfect idea of before starting his work, according to Philosophy?

2. What does Philosophy say about people giving popular acclaim?

3. What does Philosophy say of true happiness?

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

5. What does Philosophy say of the definition of true happiness?

Short Essay Questions

1. What metaphysical principle does the woman address and why is this significant?

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

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

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

5. What is implied about the choices of men and the problem of evil?

6. What does Book III claim about the insufficiency of achieving a high office?

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

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

9. What is the conclusion about the happiness and man's participation in happiness?

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

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

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.

Essay Topic 3

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.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 865 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample