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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 did Grecian authors use Socrates' character?

2. Approximately how many years ago did the Socratic dialogues take place?

3. What accusation was being leveled against Socrates regarding his relationship with the young men of Athens?

4. Who writes the comments introducing the first dialogue?

5. What was the biggest factor that confused the debate between Socrates and Euthyphro?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Tarrant say about Socrates' participation in the battle at Thrace?

2. Why is the issue of ethics so confused in the case of Euthyphro and Socrates?

3. What is included in the introductory material which prefaces the book?

4. How were the four dialogues that were included in "The Last Days of Socrates" originally arranged?

5. How did Socrates respond to people who commented on his great wisdom?

6. What does Tarrant say in the introductory notes about other versions of these dialogues?

7. What charges are being brought against Socrates, and by whom?

8. Who are Apollo and Artemis?

9. What was Socrates' explanation for why he had been, supposedly, challenging the Oracle's answer?

10. What is Socrates' objection to Euthyphro's decision, and how does Euthyphro respond to that objection?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Socrates' final wish was that a rooster be given as an offering to Asclepius, the god of healing. What was the significance of this request? Why would Socrates ask for an offering to be given to Asclepius, instead of Apollo - the god of wisdom, and the one who supposedly gave Socrates his other inspirations? What is the significance of the rooster? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 2

Plato referred to himself in the dialogues, but only in passing, as one of Socrates' many friends. Why do you think this is so? Do you think that Socrates considered Plato to be "special" amongst his students and friends? Why or why not? Do you think Plato's representation of himself in the dialogues is an accurate representation of his true relationship with Socrates, as he perceived it? Why or why not? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

Essay Topic 3

Who is Meletus? Why did he choose to prosecute Socrates? What evidence did his use as a basis for his prosecution? Why did he seek the death penalty for Socrates? Was he acting on behalf of the Athenian government? Be sure to cite specific examples from the text to support your thesis.

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