Socrates
Robert Silverberg, the author of Socrates, wanted to show how Socrates' life and death affected the people of Athens. All Athenians were proud of the democracy that governed their everyday living. Although this democracy was thought to be perfect and impenetratable, one event proved that it was unjust. This was the prosecution of Socrates. A man who proved himself innocent in front of 501 jurors in court nevertheless was convicted, proving that Athenian democracy wasn't perfect. Socrates spent his whole life questioning people about their claims of wisdom, but didn't make a living at I like the Sophists did. Although this wasn't his career, his reputation was widespread over Athens, especially after winning a debate over Protagoras, a Sophist who charged his pupils tuition in return for conveying his knowledge. Did Socrates' life and death change the ways Athenians thought about the government they took pride in?Socrates wasn't an ordinary wise man who went around annoying common citizens. He was able to turn their thoughts inside out, play around with them and then leave them in a state of confusion that would haunt them for days. Most of his targets were proud, mighty men who were confident in their thoughts. He wa
made him insane. In this trial, Socrates has a huge disadvantage. Many of the 501 jurors were young when Aristophanes', The Clouds came out. This is a play written by a comic poet, mocking Socrates in unfair manners by calling him a sophist and challenging the gods. So he is by default, a known criminal. But Socrates did not care if his life on the line, the only thing he cared about is his purpose, to prove the democracy wrong. By law, Socrates is innocent. He did worship the gods by participating in few of the political events and he never corrupted the minds of the young, because he did not teach, just simply made conversation with them. He knew that he was innocent, so to prove that democracy doesn't always work, he tried very hard to get prosecuted. In Athens the accusers and the accused can choose the punishment. Anytus purposes the death sentence for Socrates while Socrates "suggested that he be given free meals for the rest of his life at the expense of the polis. This made the juries infuriated but that's exactly what Socrates wanted. After trying hard to lose, he lost 360 to 141 putting him on the death penalty. At the expense of his life, he was able to prove democracy wrong. lked around in the agora
Some common words found in the essay are:
Protagoras Sophist, Aristophanes' Clouds, Socrates Socrates, Athens Athenians, Anytus Meletus, Socrates Socrates', prove democracy, Robert Silverberg, debate protagoras, prove democracy wrong, saying virtue taught, started saying virtue, death penalty, sophist charged, able prove, democracy wrong, socrates' life death, earned reputation, 501 jurors, life death, saying virtue,
Approximate Word count = 831
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
