Socrates: The Apology

Study Questions

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The Setting
Who is speaking at the beginning and throughout the Apology? For instance, the text starts with; "How you have felt, O men of Athens, at hearing the speeches of my accusers, I cannot tell." Who is saying that? Who is being accused? Who is making the accusations? Who is the main character speaking to?

The Charges
What has Socrates been accused of? What are the "older accusations"? What is being accused of at the trial? How does he answer those accusations?

The Oracle
What was Chaerephon's question to the Delphic Oracle and what did the priestess reply? What is the Delphic Oracle? Why did the oracle's answer puzzle Socrates? What did Socrates proceed to do in response to the oracle's answer? What is Socrates' conlusions as to the correct interpretation of the oracle's answer?

The Defense
What charges does Meletus bring against Socrates at the trial? reread the arguments that Socrates uses to refute Meletus' charges. These arguments are typical examples of the Socratic Method; describe how it is that Socrates suceeds in refuting Meletus using the method.

The End
What is Socrates' view of death? How it is possible that Socrates, having been condemmed to death, still believes that "a good person can suffer no evil."

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