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. In Phaedrus' opinion, which ancient Greek writer agrees with Hesiod's theory?

2. What causes the "man-woman" creatures in Aristophanes' story to become adulterers?

3. How does Socrates respond to the idea of speaking about love?

4. According to Agathon, how does love deal with old age?

5. Who requests that Socrates sit near him at the party?

Short Essay Questions

1. As Eryximachus explains, what is the role of a doctor in healing a patient?

2. How does Orpheus become an example used by Phaedrus to depict what not to do?

3. Where is Socrates when Aristodemus arrives at Agathon's house?

4. Who are the parents of love, according to Pausanias?

5. What effect does love have on nature and the seasons, as mentioned in the end of Eryximachus' speech?

6. What is the setting of the Symposium and the circumstances around it?

7. How is the story of the Symposium introduced and who is responsible for telling it?

8. What advice does Eryximachus have for Aristophanes before he starts speaking?

9. How does Phaedrus use Alcestis' story as an example in his speech?

10. How many kinds of love does Pausanias claim there are and why?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain how the subject of love is decided as the main topic for the speeches given at the Symposium. Be sure to include whose idea it was, how it was suggested, how the guests and Socrates, in particular, respond, and what conditions were agreed upon before the speeches begin.

Essay Topic 2

The intentions of Aristophanes' speech are called into question after he makes a clarification at its conclusion.

1) Explain what you think the intentions of Aristophanes are in giving his speech and why.

2) Analyze why Aristophanes would take the time to give a speech that does not take the discussion of love in a significant direction.

3) Describe who Aristophanes' speech might have been designed to offend, either intentionally or unintentionally, and why.

Essay Topic 3

Describe the origin of love and the events leading up to it as they are outlined in the speech given by Socrates. Also, provide an analysis of Socrates' opinions on the resilience of love and how it is a reflection of both of its parents.

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 809 words (approx. 3 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample