Socrates’ Speech in Apology - 975 Words

Aristophanes’ Clouds, if read hastily, can be interpreted as a mindless satyr play written in 419 BCE. Yet the chorus warns the reader not to expect the play to have farcical ploys like â€Å"a hanging phallus stitched on† the actors to evoke a laugh, but has underlying seriousness as â€Å"she [the play] comes in trusting only her words† (Clouds 538-44). Even if the play does use some low devices, the play’s message is sophisticated and can be read as a warning to Socrates. Aristophanes is a â€Å"friendly critic† of Socrates and warns Socrates to change his ways for Athens and for the good of himself (Whidden). Plato’s Symposium and especially his Apology of Socrates justify the claims made in Clouds about the dangers of philosophy and Socrates to†¦show more content†¦They are referred to as a â€Å"voice† that Socrates hears, not unlike a conscience, that â€Å"turns me [Socrates] away from whatever I am about to do, b ut never turns me forward† (Apology 31d). Socrates uses that as the reason why he never got into politics, as the majority rule is usually against his own code of morals (31d). Socrates is not exactly godless or immoral for he would not condemn a group of prisoners without trying them separately. His â€Å"whole care is to commit no unjust or impious deed† (32d). Socrates may have moral standards, but perhaps his followers would not. This leads into the charge that he corrupts the youth, for if Socrates can question the gods, they can too. Athenians acted out of fear of heavenly retribution, not morals (Whidden). Those youth found it acceptable to do whatever they wanted because of the apparent lack of gods and thunderbolts coming down from the heavens to smite those who deserve justice. Clouds’ Socrates argues, â€Å"If in fact he [Zeus] strikes perjurers, then how is it that he did not burn up Simon, or Cleonymus or Theorus? Yet they are vehement perjurers . But he strikes his own temple and Sunium, the cape of Athens, and tall oak trees. Why?† (Clouds 398-402). Those youths have mimicked Socrates’ style of rhetoric and argument. Pheidippides is an extreme satiric version of these sophists, as he uses the weaker speech to justify why he has beaten his father and why heShow MoreRelatedPlato s The Apology Of Socrates874 Words   |  4 PagesIn Plato s â€Å"The Apology of Socrates†, Socrates states, â€Å"the unexamined life is not worth living† and he would rather be put to death them stop his practice of philosophy (The Apology). In this writing, Socrates is charged with not accepting the gods recognized by the state, devising new gods, and corrupting the youth of Athens. However, the word apology in the title is not our modern English interpretation of the word. The name of the speech stems from the Greek word apologia, which translatesRead MoreAristophanes’ Clouds a Satyr Play Written in 419 BCE1161 Words   |  5 Pageswarning to Socrates. Aristophanes is a â€Å"friendly critic† of Socrates and warns Socrates to change his ways for Athens and for the good of himself (Whidden). Plato’s Symposium and especially his Apology of Socrates does not discount the claims made in Clouds about the dangers of philosophy and Socrates to the public, even if Plato’s Socrates is less exaggeratedly flawed than the Socrates in Clouds. In Apology, Socrates takes the warning from the Clouds seriously. In Socrates’ speech he disregardsRead MoreThe Reconciliation Of Two Positions1696 Words   |  7 Pagesmost prominent individuals in history, Socrates not only helped to set up the foundations for Western philosophy, but the legacy he left behind is something that is still being discussed today by historians and philosophers alike. Socrates is renowned for standing up for his beliefs even in the midst of death as portrayed in Plato’s account of Socrates’ defense speech, Apology, in which he gave during his 339 B.C. trial. It is in this eminent speech that Socrates is able show the dedication he has forRead MoreThe Tragedy Of Socrates As A Tragic Hero1373 Words   |  6 Pagesthe purpose of existence; one of these philosophers was Socrates. Spending majority of his life in Athens, Socrates exercised his freedom of speech, for which, he had vocalized his opinions to the people of Athens of the au thority of the government and whether if the they are suitable to help society function in a positive light (Brumbaugh 230). However, in the development of government, the conservative government of Athens charged Socrates with religious treason and the corruption of the youth ofRead MoreApology of Socrates Summart924 Words   |  4 PagesSummary Platos The Apology is an account of the speech Socrates makes at the trial in which he is charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, inventing new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens. Socrates speech, however, is by no means an apology in our modern understanding of the word. The name of the dialogue derives from the Greek apologia, which translates as a defense, or a speech made in defense. Thus, in The Apology, Socrates attempts to defend himself andRead MorePlatos Apology, Summary, Main Characters750 Words   |  3 PagesSocrates - The protagonist of The Apology, as well as all of Plato s other dialogues. Socrates seems to be a very simple man, not having many material possessions and speaking in a plain, conversational manner. However, this seeming plainness is all a part of the ironic characteristic of Socrates method. Professing his own ignorance, he engages in conversation with someone claiming to be an expert, usually in ethical matters. By askin g simple questions, Socrates gradually reveals that his interlocutorRead MoreEssay Clouds vs. The Apology1649 Words   |  7 Pages Clouds vs. The Apology In Aristophanes Clouds and in Platos Apology we see extensive fictional representations of the historical figure, Socrates, who left us no literary works under his own name. When comparing these two representations, readers often assume, as a result of the nature of the comedic genre, that Aristophanes portrayal of Socrates is exaggerated and fallacious. On the other hand, Platos account is often taken more seriously as a result of the philosophical genre and theRead MoreEssay on The Three Modes of Persuasion: Socrates Apology1331 Words   |  6 PagesPersuasion: Socrates’ Apology In speaking of effective rhetorical persuasion, we must appeal to our target audience in a way that will get them to accept or act upon the point of view we are trying to portray. Aristotle said that we persuade others by three means: (1) by the appeal to their reason (logos); (2) by the appeal to their emotions (pathos); and (3) by the appeal of our personality or character (ethos) (Corbett and Connors 32). When Socrates, an infamous rhetorician, gave his â€Å"apology† to hisRead MorePlatos The Apology792 Words   |  3 PagesPlato’s The Apology is the speech that Socrates makes at the trial in which he is charged with not recognizing the gods recognized by the state, creating new deities, and corrupting the youth of Athens. Even though the title of Socrates’ speech is The Apology, it is not an apology for his actions, but rather he attempts to defend himself and his conduct. The apology has made me reflect on whether a person should focus on improving himself or herself, or should they focus on improving other peopleRead MorePlatos Apology Essay951 Words   |  4 PagesPlato’s Apology is a narrative of the famous speech of Socrates that is made during his trial. Instead of apologizing, Socrates attempts to defend himself and his actions. He is put on trial due to his accusations of corrupting Athens, not acknowledging the same gods as the state, and creating new gods. During his dialogue, Socrates remains very calm and speaks with honesty. He focuses on what is said rather than his manner of speech. When he is first presented in from of the jury, Socrates asks