Brandon Scribner

6/9/18
Comp 201 World Literature
Dr. Victor Gomia
Module 4 Summary

The Apology written by Plato, a beloved student and friend of Socrates, is a theatrical

representation of the trial in which Socrates is accused of corrupting the youth of Athens, defying

the state’s religious beliefs, and inventing religious entities. Throughout the entire story Socrates

consistently does a few key things that are important. Socrates reminds the jury that he does not

know everything, nor does he attempt to convince others that he does. Although the oracle stated

that Socrates was the wisest of men. Socrates explained that the oracle more than likely meant

that men like Socrates are the wisest. Plato recounts a story told by Socrates of the poets that

could write profoundly and yet could not explain their own work. As well as, politicians that

acted as though they were well educated but knew really nothing. Socrates never speaks out of

turn, and never speaks directly out of anger. Socrates’ reactions are calm and collected. Knowing

that although he may not survive the day, his soul is perfected, and he is at peace. Socrates also

looks to the students of his in the jury to not beg for his life but to teach them one final lesson.

Die for what you believe, and the eternal rest will be well deserved. Socrates does not ask for

death and knowing that his death is brought by the wrongful accusations of others that do not

care for open minded people. This teaches his students another lesson. That the people that speak

out against the open minded are those that are causing true corruption. Meletus, one of the

prosecutors, argues with Socrates that it is Socrates alone that is causing all the youthful

corruption in Athens. Socrates compares himself to a horse trainer and describes the amount of

work it takes to train one horse. Also, that the trainer in mention is a very specialized person.
Then asks how it is that Meletus thinks any person could have such an influence so many

humans? Socrates never charged any fees for this profound teaching. He says that although

teachings may be worth a great deal, he has no skill for teaching these matters. The prosecution

is judging Socrates for defying the religious beliefs of the state. Socrates states that he was

portrayed in a play as a kind of looney heretic seen floating in the air spewing nonsense. Socrates

had no complaint about those who followed godly rules. Nor did he pretend to be an expert on

the religious topics. Socrates was convicted by a marginal amount for the crimes against him,

and the court gave him the option to pick his punishment. Being the person Socrates was at heart,

he said that he could not suggest a punishment when it felt as though the people should really be

rewarding him. Instead of a punishment he recommended that the court allow him to eat in the

Prytaneum, where the victors of the Olympic Games feasted. Socrates explains all the reasons

why he could not except anything but death or freedom. Exile would leave him mad, and

imprisonment would leave him in the hands of the magistrate. Socrates finally suggests that he

must pay a fee to the state. Plato, Crito, Critobulus, and Apollodorus offer money to pay for the

fee. Thus, the fee was raised from one hundred drachmae to five thousand. Socrates was

sentenced to death and led to prison. Socrates addressed the court directly, warning them that

they will be blamed for putting a wise man to death. As well as explaining that is they had just

left him be he would have died on his own being seventy years of age already. Socrates final

address is that although they may have silenced him as a critic, he will be replaced with many

more in the future.