Background.  Pages 1-3 have some helpful history, and there's lots of information on the Web.  The setting is during a truce in the 26-year war between the two major cities of Greece, Athens and Sparta.  Here are the main characters in the Republic.  Note that Plato himself is not among them!  He would have been a mere child (probably less than age 10) at this time.

Socrates.  Philosopher.  He's about 50, spends his time talking to people, usually arguing with
       them.  Was Plato's teacher; also served with distinction in the Athenian army.
Cephalus (KEFF-uh-lus).  Elderly and wealthy weapons manufacturer, father of Polemarchus.
       Was a metic - a "resident alien," not a citizen of Athens though his family had lived in
       Athenian territory for a long time, perhaps several generations.
Polemarchus (Polly-MARK-us).  Cephalus's son and heir, perhaps around 30.
Glaucon (rhymes with COW-con).  Older brother of Plato, military hero, maybe in his 20's.
Adeimantus (Addy-MAN-tus).  Older brother of Plato, military hero, maybe in his 20's.
Thrasymachus (Thruh-SIM-uh-cus).  Well-known orator, a visiting foreigner, thirty-ish.

Reading Questions (not to be written, but you may be asked about them in class)
1.  Why do Socrates and Glaucon decide to stay in Piraeus?  Do they really want to?
2.  List the main topics Cephalus talks about.  What is the gist of his "position" on each one?
3.  Why does Cephalus leave?  "To tend to the sacrifice" is too simplistic.  Look for a deeper
      reason.  Why might Plato, the author, have made him leave?
4.  Socrates has just 2 or 3 main points or arguments against Polemarchus's view of justice.
     Mark where one ends and another begins.  Think about how Polemarchus reacts to having
     his views criticized, and compare to how Thrasymachus or Socrates reacts to criticism.
5.  Explain in your own words what "justice is the advantage of the stronger" really means.
6.  Thrasymachus's main summary of his views is at 343b-344d.  How true and realistic do you
     find it to be, and why?
7.  What are 2-3 key differences in Thrasymachus's and Socrates' views of rulers?  Which view
      seems more sensible to you, and why?
8.  Why does Thrasymachus blush (350d)?  What does this incident suggest about
     Thrasymachus's character?  About Socrates' character?
9.  What is the difference (352d-353e) between the function of a thing and the virtue of a thing?
     Based on this passage, describe what virtuous and non-virtuous (vicious) cars are like.
10.  List by margin numbers, or mark in the margins, the two or three most puzzling, confusing,
       or curious passages you found.  Be prepared to explain why you find them to be thus!

DWA Question.  A common reaction to Plato's Republic is, "This is really weird! I've never encountered anything like it before!"  Based on Book 1, how true is that for you?  Write a well-organized page-long explanation of your answer.  Include some comparison/contrast with other things (which might be books, articles, movies, TV . . .) that the Republic seems to be, or seems not to be, similar to.  Support your answer by reference to things done or said in Book 1, using direct or indirect quotes or references to specific passages by using the text margin numbers (such as: 337a-c).

If handwritten, write very neatly!  If printed, please double-space!