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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. Why does Socrates object to Alcibiades' idea for a speech?

2. Why does Diotima think Love is not a god?

3. Who objects to the drinking taking place in Chapter 8?

4. As explained by Diotima, how many people is a young person initially attracted to?

5. In the example Socrates provides, what city's laws are "fathered" by Solon?

Short Essay Questions

1. How does Agathon disagree with Phaedrus in the beginning of his speech and why?

2. How does Diotima help Socrates understand how a person can become a philosopher through love?

3. In Socrates' opinion, what does a person's achievements have to do with love, and which example does he use?

4. Why does Socrates believe that love cannot be beautiful or ugly, and what analogy does he use?

5. What events does Alcibiades describe in his speech, and how do they show that Socrates cannot be bribed?

6. At the conclusion of his speech, what does Socrates states is the true power or purpose of love?

7. What examples does Socrates provide of what men can leave behind?

8. According to Socrates, what is the origin of love?

9. Why does Socrates think that love is a spirit?

10. How can men become "pregnant," according to Socrates?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Analyze the way Plato decides to tell the story of the Symposium. Include the effects of having a story delivered from a second-hand account, why Apollodorus is qualified to recount the events of the party, and how he has been able to confirm the information that Aristodemus provided. Also, explain whether Plato's own opinions of Socrates influence the way the story is presented.

Essay Topic 2

Apollodorus introduces an interesting notion about the way philosophers and rich people view each other.

1) Describe Apollodorus' general opinion of people and how he got his nickname.

2) Explain why he pities rich men and the reasons why he thinks they also pity him.

3) Analyze how the story might be affected be being told by someone with Apollodorus' views on life.

Essay Topic 3

As Eryximachus concludes his speech, he discusses the effect love can have on things besides humans.

1) Describe Eryximachus' theory on how love can affect nature and the seasons, including examples.

2) Explain Eryximachus' definition of astrology and how love is involved with the order of the stars.

3) Based on the thoughts presented in Eryximachus' speech, describe the effect love can have on religion and worship.

(see the answer keys)

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