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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 Boethius say to Philosophy at the start of Book 3?

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

3. What does Lady Philosophy say of the evil person that has power?

4. Who wouldn't care about a politician title away from Rome?

5. What does God use to influence men and execute his plan for the universe?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

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

4. How are actions their own rewards, as stated in Book IV?

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

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

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

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

In Book II, Boethius discusses how goods of the world are not actually goods. Discuss how these interfere with achieving the highest good. Analyze why these are temporal and not able to satisfy the soul. Use the text to support your discussion.

Essay Topic 2

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 3

In light of Augustine's four levels of allegory, including the literal, moral, spiritual and analogical, consider how Boethius' "The Consolation of Philosophy" works on all four levels. Define the four levels of allegory and use examples of each, while analyzing their meaning.

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