The Last Days of Socrates is a collection of dialogues written by Plato about his former teacher Socrates. Within the dialogues, the character of Socrates is built through his actions and his interactions with various people. While Plato is clearly intending to write about one clear character, his teacher Socrates, when analyzing the text there are visible inconsistencies about Socrates and his beliefs. Specifically, when comparing Socrates’ actions in the Apology, it is evident that his behavior is contradictory to that of his actions in the Crito. Despite his attitude towards government in the Apology, Socrates appears to value the Laws of Athens and morality over his own life as proven by his actions in the Crito.
In the Apology, after having …show more content…
In the Apology Socrates is only concerned about himself and doesn 't even think about the polity as a whole. Socrates’ defense in the Apology appears immature and extremely ineffective as he not only loses his case but also is sentenced to death. His character is drastically contrasted in the Crito because it appears as though Socrates is a new person. The Socrates in the Crito is humble and deeply respects Athens as shown by his refusal to leave prison. It is peculiar that Socrates’ is so disrespectful of the state in the Apology and yet in the Crito all he talks of is Athens excellency “your country is something far more precious,more venerable,more sacred, and held in greater honour...” (Plato 91). Socrates varying behavior also raises the question of why he fought the charges against him and if he truly respected the state of Athens would he have not simply accepted his fate out of respect? However, it is clear that after a close reading of both dialogues, Socrates values the government over his own life and has an established respect for the systems in place. It is evident that Socrates’ was only defending himself in the Apology and he was not intentionally being disrespectful. While Socrates’ action of defending himself can also be viewed as disrespectful to the court, Socrates had such high regard for the government and the judicial process that it would have been an insult to the system if he had been wrongfully
In the Apology, after having …show more content…
In the Apology Socrates is only concerned about himself and doesn 't even think about the polity as a whole. Socrates’ defense in the Apology appears immature and extremely ineffective as he not only loses his case but also is sentenced to death. His character is drastically contrasted in the Crito because it appears as though Socrates is a new person. The Socrates in the Crito is humble and deeply respects Athens as shown by his refusal to leave prison. It is peculiar that Socrates’ is so disrespectful of the state in the Apology and yet in the Crito all he talks of is Athens excellency “your country is something far more precious,more venerable,more sacred, and held in greater honour...” (Plato 91). Socrates varying behavior also raises the question of why he fought the charges against him and if he truly respected the state of Athens would he have not simply accepted his fate out of respect? However, it is clear that after a close reading of both dialogues, Socrates values the government over his own life and has an established respect for the systems in place. It is evident that Socrates’ was only defending himself in the Apology and he was not intentionally being disrespectful. While Socrates’ action of defending himself can also be viewed as disrespectful to the court, Socrates had such high regard for the government and the judicial process that it would have been an insult to the system if he had been wrongfully