Death Of Socrates

A detailed Summary of Death Of Socrates


In contemporary with the Age of Enlightenment, also called the Age of

Reason in France, neoclassical painters used famous works of literature as a source of inspiration for their paintings. The Death Of Socrates (1787; Oil on canvas, 129.5 x 196.2 cm or 51 x 77 1/4 in) by Jacques Louis David, is a perfect example of a neoclassical painter using a famous work of literarue, in this case Plato's Phaedo, as his source of inspiration. Plato's marvelous work, however, was not completely captured in David's this painting, instead David looking through "Roman lenses" chose to focus more on the famous philosopher's immortality.

In the painting The Death of Socrates, the painter Jacques Louis David, takes a scene from Plato's Phaedo and paints it from a Roman perspective. For example the setting of the scene takes place in a chamber that has Roman arches on the windows and an arch in the hallway. In addition there is also a Roman style lamp found behind Socrates. Other than the Roman perspective portrayed by David there is also a distribution of lig


ht and dark accents in this masterwork that aids in distinguishing the significance and "divinity" of Socrates. First of all, the light coming from the windows in the background and the lamp in the background are not the main source of light in this scene. However, the origin of the primary source of light that is emphasizing on Socrates and then on his disciples is unknown.

Socrates is perceived to be very calm and at peace, as he discusses the immortality of the soul with his disciples. Even though Socrates is in his deathbed, he is still teaching, philosophizing, and thanking the God of Health, Asclepius, for the hemlock brew, which, by the way, will insure a peaceful death. His last words are "a cock for Asclepius!" Which symbolizes that he is sacrificing himself to that god just like the cock will sacrificed. His students on the other hand are in grief and seem to be taking his execution worse than Socrates. Socrates had his wife and family removed had to be removed from the chamber where he was to drink the poison because the might get too

Some common words found in the essay are:
Socrates Socrates, Socrates Roman, Plato's Phaedo, Health Asclepius, Death Socrates, Louis David, Reason France, david's painting, david painted, plato's phaedo, david painted socrates, painted socrates, death socrates, Age Enlightenment, jacques louis david, roman perspective, louis david, source inspiration, source light, painted david, , Jacques Louis,

Approximate Word count = 711
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Arts

join now Save Paper

Related Essays

  • The Death of Socrates The Death of Socrates ampquotCrito, you and other people who claimed to be friends to Socrates are all useless How could you have been ... 408 words
  • Plata The Trial and Death of Socrates Plato The Trial and Death of Socrates Book 4: Phaedo Socrates is admired for his willingness to explore an argument wherever it would lead as well as having ... 458 words
  • What Can Be Discovered In the Trials and Death Of Socrates In ampquot The Trails and Death of Socratesampquot we discover Socrates unique approach to philosophy. His method involves questioning peopleamp39s ... 1000 words
  • The Last Days of Socrates an unlawful execution ... believed was the right thing to do. The Last Days of Socrates is an account written by Plato of the sentencing and death of Socrates. ... 968 words
  • Socrates Apology ... When the jury gave him the death penalty, Socratesamp39 continued his defense to tell the people who found him guilty that he was not afraid of death. ... 406 words

Professional Essays

  • Socrates ... time. Works Cited Cooper, John M. Plato: The Trial and Death of Socrates, 3rd ed. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing Co. 2001. 855 words
  • Socrates ampamp Injustice ... time. Works Cited Cooper, John M. Plato: The Trial and Death of Socrates, 3rd ed. Indianapolis, IN: Hackett Publishing Co. 2001. 855 words
  • Socratesamp39 Views on Death ... First, in the Apology, at 41cd, Socrates sounds certain that death is not a bad thing, either for himself or for others, but then his closing statement, at 42a ... 2895 words
  • Socratesamp39 Accepting View of Death ... cynicism might bring him to laugh at Socratesamp39 spiritual claims, but he would have to be impressed by the fact that Socrates went to his death willingly and ... 1742 words
  • Socratesamp39s Views of Death in the Apology and the Crito ... Socrates argues that death can be one of two things 65. ... If either is the case, Socrates considers death to be a better position than life. ... 1761 words
  • Life and Death Relationship ... It is as though, confronted by his own death, Socrates looks into himself, back into his own past: he proceeds to supply the basis for the necessary ... 3039 words


Saved Paper

Save your papers so you can locate them quickly!

Newest Essays

Testimonials

  • "Thank You So Much!!! You have saved me once again!!!"
    Jack M.
  • "With so many papers to chose from, I was able to get ideas to help me with all of my classes. Thank You!"
    Brian P.
  • "I've used this site for the last 3 years to help me come up with ideas for my papers."
    Sara J.
  • "I use this site every week to help me write my own papers!"
    Rachel W.
  • "I love this site!!!"
    Marie N.
Home Join Now Support
Acceptable Use Policy About us FAQ
All papers are for research and reference purposes only!
© 2002-2009 DirectEssays.com. All Rights Reserved.