Literature Analysis Of Phaedo By Plato

The following analysis will examine the Phaedo by Plato. The following questions will be addressed: What is the historical context of this period? Who was the author and what is his bias? What was the author’s intent in writing this and whom did he see as his audience? What are the storylines, as revealed in the document? What role does Socrates play in the Phaedo and how is that relevant to Plato′s dialogs in general? What does the document reveal about the Greek notions of the body vs. the soul? And lastly, what stands out as particularly meaningful and in what ways can this understanding provide into our modern times, and why?This historical context of the period reveals that Plato recorded the events at the time Athenians had high concerns on matters of intellect and art. There were many philosophers in Greece, according to where Plato lived. It was during this time, when Socrates, a great philosopher and teacher of good morals was accused of misleading his youth through his teaching. The recordings were taken at a court as Socrates, a friend of the writer was tried in court of law. This evidence by Socrates says, “For I am more than seventy years of age, and appearing now for the first time before a court of law …” the accused seemed to be courageous before the judges and confronted them with what he thought was right. During those days, the accused was allowed to defend himself as a lawyer. Nevertheless, he did no achieve justice. At first, he vowed to deal with the rumors of the false prejudices around him. Before his sentence, Socrates had earlier faced many other trials. Some of which, he teaches for free, unlike other philosophers.

According to him, requiring a fee was not right because it did not please the god Apollo. Also, he was accused as the wise man who taught youth to be rebellious against the gods and goddesses of Athens. Despite his firm stand and confrontation, he was convicted and sentenced to death. However, he denied the opportunity to escape the prisons even when his friend had planned for the escape. Because of this, he portrayed a man who stood by the truth always because he said there was no need to fear the death if people were not engaging in immoral activities. He also accused the hypocrites by their way of life. The author of the Plato is Phaedo, known for his long-term friendship with Socrates, wiseman, the main character in the play. He was a great follower and a student to wiseman because he was able to give an account of his teacher. Consequently, he explains to Crito, another friend of his how it was worth for their teacher to live the life he preached. “What we can be sure about Socrates was that he was remarkable for living the life he preached. Taking no fees…”. Taking no fee for the services such as advice to life made young intellects always gather before him seeking advice. However, his bias is revealed in different instances throughout his apologetic play. He always followed the Socrates and believed in everything said by him was right.

Additionally, in his writing, he gave the positive side of Socrates and ignored the negative part of Socrates’ life. The author’s intent is clear because, in his apologetic dialogue, as he described Socrates as a gadfly. He wanted the people of the Athens, mostly the Greek philosophers to have a diversified way of looking at and explaining of things. “The inquiry has led to me having many of the worst and most dangerous kind, and has given rise also to many imputations”. For example, when Socrates wanted to know whether those thought to be wise were, he went ahead reaching each of the groups such as the craftsmen, politicians, and poets. However, after many confrontations, he concluded that no one among those groups were wise. This resulted in dislike between and Greek philosophers. It seems apparent that the intended audience would have been Athenians, wisemen, the youth, and all Christian believers because Socrates in his conversation kept calling upon the Athens people. For example, in his dialogue to the jury, he started by saying “How you, O Athenians…” indicating that the immediate audience was the Athens people. The storyline of the Phaedo is about the Greek philosopher.

The play was recorded in Athens, Greece, where Socrates was born and raised. In his youth, he fought in the Peloponnesian war and they defeated their enemies. He lived in a period referred to as the golden age, the time of intellectual and moral unrest. The teachers or the Sophists were the in full control of everything. They only regarded values with subjected opinions to criticism and thorough examination. It is during that period when Socrates did not support the Sophist's ideas. Instead, he challenged their beliefs with everybody who came his way. His, confrontations with the tradition later contributed to his trials and later sentenced to death. He stood by the truth and believed it is found through honest and logical arguments. Through his teaching, he became popular among the youth. Therefore, the Sophist envied him and plotted to pin him down through trials. He was criticized because they thought he does not obey the laws of the city gods and that through his teaching, he would erge the youth to rebel against their beliefs. “The Athenian youth flocked to his side as he walked the paths of the agora. They clung to his every word and gesture …”. He was put in the test and later sentenced to death through poisoning. He died in prisons soon after taking the poison.

The role that Socrates play in Phaedo was to awake people to do the right thing without being biased by the set traditions. He argues that the best way to seek the truth is through engaging minds. This method is referred to as dialectic and it is evidently in the play. “The reason why this charge is somewhat justified is that he challenged his students to think for themselves – to use their minds to answer questions. He did not reveal answers. He did not reveal truth”. This is relevant because he wanted his students to think for themselves and come up with the answers. The Greek notion of the body vs the soul is that once the death occurs, soul and the body are separated. This is shown in the conversation between Socrates and his friend Simmias. They talked about the death for a long period before been joined by their friend. Therefore, the notion of Greeks about the soul and the body is that the are two separate identities and once one dies, his life ends. In conclusion, what stands out as meaningful is that people should never get tired of seeking the truth. For example, in the play, Socrates was determined and took a firm stand in what he believed to be right. Additionally, the play demonstrates clearly the virtue of the fear by the leaders. This can be backed by the fact that the Sophists were afraid of Socrates deeds. The play provides modern insight into the actions of the current society. The play can also be used as a mirror through which inspiring leaders use justice. They should act enthusiastically and actively just as Socrates did.