Phado Plato, Greece

Summary

In this text, a great philosopher Plato writes about Socrates' death with the help of two characters. They are Phaedo and Echecrates. There is a conversation between these characters. Pahedo was present when Socrates was given poison. Echecrates and Phaedo were disciples of Socrates. Echerates asks Phaedo to tell about the details of how Socrates died. After Socrates was charged, the execution of Socrates was postponed for several days because of some delay in ritual performance. Because they had to perform some ritual performance. When the ship from Delos arrived, Socrates would be executed. Because the ship had been sent to Delos to God Apollo. When the ship comes, they fix the date.

 

On that day, many students from different places came to meet Socrates. His disciples as well as family members came there. He gave a Philosophical talk about the human body and soul. Some of them began to weep. Socrates sent them home after a short talk. Crito asked Socrates how they should bury him. Socrates made fun of him. He explained that it didn’t matter to him how he would be buried. For him death was important. He knew that he would soon and would go to another world soon. He would go to heaven.

 

Then he went to take a bath. An offer came and asked pardon from Socrates. The officer had tears in his eyes. Then a man came with a bowl of poison. Socrates didn’t change his facial expression. He commanded his disciples not to lose heart. Socrates drank poison. Then he walked for a distance. Legs were heavy. Finally, he fell down. In the end, he wished that a Cock should be offered to Asclepius. The disciples as well as other relatives began to weep in broken- hearts.

 

Four Levels of Interpretation

Literal Comprehension:

This text is written in dialogue form. There are mainly three characters. They are Phaedo, Echerates, and Cerrito. In this text, a great philosopher Plato writes about Socrates’ death with the help of two characters. They are Phaedo and Echecrates. There is a conversation between these characters. Phaedo was present when Socrates was given poison. Echecrates and Phaedo were disciples of Socrates. Echecrates asks Phaedo to tell about the details of how Socrates died. After Socrates was charged, the execution of Socrates was postponed for several days because of some delay in ritual performance. Because they had to perform some ritual performances. When the ship from Delos arrived, Socrates would be executed. Because the ship had been sent Delos to God Apollo. When the ship comes, they fix the date.

 

On that day, many students from different places came to meet Socrates. His disciples as well as family members came there. He gave a Philosophical talk about the human body and soul. Some of them began to weep. Socrates sent them home after a short talk. Crito asked Socrates how they should bury him. Socrates made fun of him. He explained that it didn’t matter to him he would be buried. For him death was important. He knew that he would leave the world soon and would go to another world soon. He would go to heaven.

 

Then he went to take a bath. An officer came and asked pardon from Socrates. The officer had tears in his eyes. Them a man came with a bowl of poison. Socrates didn’t change his facial expression. He commanded his disciples not to lose heart. Socrates drank poison. Then he walked for a distance. Legs were heavy. Finally, he fell down. In the end, he wished that a Cock should be offered to Asclepius. The disciples as well as other relatives began to weep in a broken heart.

 

Interpretation:

Here, the writer Plato tries to show the immortality of Socrates. According to him, a great person doesn’t frighten with death. He shows death is necessary when our body is useless. Here, Socrates drank the poison earlier than the appointed time. He found his body useless because he was going to be executed soon. Plato shows adventurous life is more important than coward life. Because Socrates was speaking for right things though he was given poison.

 

Critical Thinking:

I quietly agree that we shouldn’t spend our life without doing any good work. We are human beings we should do something great. Socrates had democratic feelings and he spoke in favor of common people though he was given poison. But we still say Socrates was a great upright person. But here Plato tries to show that there is also life after death. There is no proof of it yet. I have never heard that someone’s arrival in heaven.

 

Assimilation:

By reading this text in dialogue, I learned that we should be the truth. Truth makes us a great person. For the right things, we should protest. Socrates also spoke for truth but the dwellers of the dark got him to drink poison though he is still known as a great philosopher. His name is written in history books.

 

Possible question

How does Socrates differentiate the body and soul in the dialogue form of the story, “Phaedo”? And what kind of basic writing style has been adopted to convey the philosophy of body and soul?

Words Meaning

Execute = Punish someone by killing

Hemlock = A type of poison

Trial = Case

Delos = Name of the Greek island

Solemn = Serious

Vow = Promise

Mission = A particular task

Nobly = Well

Incomprehensible = Hard to understand

Sort = Type

Upset = Sad

Apparently = Clearly

Daybreak = Early dawn

Urge = Request

Commissioner = Officer

Persuade = Convince

Elaborate = Detailed

State = Condition

Attempt = Effort

On my account = For my sake

Meanwhile = At the same time

Ridiculous = Humorous

Administer = Give

Its own accord = Without being asked

Cheerfully = Happily

Distaste = Hate

Arian = To make empty

Restrain = Stop

Tranquil = Peaceful

Frame of mind = Mood

Recommend = Give suggestion

Comrade = Friend

Upright = Honest

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