The Clouds By Aristophanes, The Apology, And The Republic

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The Clouds by Aristophanes, the Apology, and the Republic by Plato collectively demonstrate the hazardous relationship between the philosopher and the city. Each work reveals how Socrates’ method of dialectic inquiry and search for wisdom hindered Athens’ city structure and order. The tension between the city and the philosopher ultimately leads to Socrates’ death. Yet, the jury’s decision does not denounce Socrates as a pious individual. The decision merely represents Socrates’ unwillingness to conform to the Greek traditions and beliefs.
There are several charges laid against Socrates in his trial. Plato’s Apology divides these charges into two sets- the original charges and the new charges. The original accusations are: “Socrates does injustice …show more content…

These accusations also derive from Aristophanes’ Clouds. In the Clouds, Socrates educates Pheidippides on the Unjust speech (Aristophanes 888). After Pheidippides returns home from the “Thinkery”, he beats his father after an argument over poetry (Aristophanes 1324). Pheidippides claims that he was beating his father “with justice” and uses the speeches that he has learned from Socrates to prove to his father that his actions were just (Aristophanes 1331-1335). Socrates also taught Pheidippides that Greek Gods should not be credited (Aristophanes 247). These examples provide the foundation for Meletus’ new accusation that Socrates does injustice by corrupting the youth. During this time, the youth respected the elderly and worshipped the Greek Gods and Goddesses. Pheidippides’ physical condemnation of his father suggests that he neither respects nor honors his father, which goes against societal virtues and norms. From Meletus’ point of view, Socrates “corrupted the young” by teaching dishonor to one’s elders and disbelief of the Gods. Moreover, Socrates’ refusal to credit the Gods and skepticism toward “heavenly things” provides the bases for the accusation that the philosopher does not believe in the gods in whom the city

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