Background.  Books (hand-copied scrolls) were not widely available in ancient Greece. Their literary classics, notably Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, were memorized and recited.  That's why Socrates doesn't give references for his Homer quotes; his audience knows the passages, and knows their context. Professional reciters (rhapsodes) could keep an audience on the edge of their seats by the dramatic impact of their recitations, sometimes with musical accompaniment.  Students typically spoke and acted (imitated) the parts of characters from Homer and other writers.

Reading Questions:

1)  In his comments about literature, music, and physical training Socrates repeatedly emphasizes
     two main virtues or character traits that are desirable for guardians.  What are they?  Why are
     they important for guardians?

2)  What literature in our society would be comparable to the Iliad and Odyssey in Socrates' time?

3)  For each of the passages Socrates quotes: does he approve or disapprove of it - and why?

4)  402a: "hating it while he's still young and unable to grasp the reason."  Think about what this
      means.  Is it a good idea?  Why, or why not?

5)  What is the main purpose or goal of Socrates' physical training and education?

6)  What is the most important characteristic for rulers (as contrasted with auxiliaries) to have?
     How does this relate to Socrates' comments about rulers in Book 1 (342ce, 347ae)?

7)  What is the purpose of the "one noble falsehood"?  How will it benefit the city?  Do we have
      any such "myths" today?  If not, why not?  If yes, give an example or two!

DWA Question.  Do one of these.  As always, specify the passages you base your responses on.

1)  Concisely present the essentials of Socrates' views on lying and truth-telling in Books 2 and 3.
     The main passages in which they are presented: 376c-379a; 382ae; 389bd; 412b-415e.  But
     you should also reflect on the general context provided by the whole of both books.

2)  Explain the difference between the three styles, which Adeimantus (392c+) has trouble
     understanding.  Which (if either) style does Socrates prefer, and why?  Which style is the Iliad
     passage below?  Which style applies to the Republic, and why?  What, judging from Socrates'
     comments on style, are the implications for how we should understand the Republic?

The Iliad begins with the Greek army camped along the shore not far from the city of Troy, which they have been unsuccessfully trying to capture for about nine years!  But they have recently captured some Trojans who lived outside the city walls.  The captives include Chryseis, the daughter of  Chryses, an old priest in charge of a temple of Apollo.  The Iliad passage (Bk 1, Lombardo translation, lines 17-55) Socrates refers to and quotes from in 393-94 :

Chryses had come to the Greek [Achean] beachhead camp hauling a fortune for his daughter's
ransom. Displaying Apollo's sacral ribbons on a golden staff, he made a formal plea to the entire
Greek army, but especially [to] the commanders, Atreus' two sons:

"Sons of Atreus and Greek heroes all: May the gods on Olympus grant you plunder
of Priam's city [Troy] and a safe return home. But give my daughter back and accept
this ransom out of respect for Zeus' son, Lord Apollo, who deals death from afar."

A murmur rippled through the ranks: "Respect the priest and take the ransom."
But Agamemnon [Greek king and commander] was not pleased and dismissed Chryses
with a rough speech:

"Don't let me ever catch you, old man, by these ships again, skulking around now or
sneaking back later. The god's staff and ribbons won't save you next time. The girl is
mine, and she'll be an old woman in Argos [Greece] before I will let her go, working
the loom in my house and coming to my bed, far from her homeland. Now clear out of
here before you make me angry!"

The old man was afraid and did as he was told. He walked in silence along the whispering
surf line, and when he had gone some distance the priest prayed to Lord Apollo, son of
silken-haired Leto:

"Hear me, Silverbow, Protector of Chryse, Lord of Holy Cilla, Master of Tenedos, and
Sminthian God of Plague! If ever I've built a temple that pleased you or burnt fat thighbones
of bulls and goats -- Grant me this prayer:  Let the Danaans [Greeks] pay for my tears
with your arrows!"

Apollo heard his prayer and descended Olympus' crags pulsing with fury, bow slung over one
shoulder, the arrows rattling in their case on his back as the angry god moved like night down
the mountain.