2. Articulate the reasons Lysias gives for the superiority of nonlovers to lovers. 

3. What does Lysias' speech symbolize? How does it function in this dialogue? 

4. Why does Socrates cover his head as he speaks?

5. Outline the arguments Socrates makes in his first speech. What is his position? Supporting arguments? Does this speech follow good form? Why or why not? 

6. What is Socrates' reason for not liking his first speech? 

7. What arguments does Socrates provide for madness = good (not bad as Lysias & Socrates' first speech outlined). Why might this second speech be considered "a masterpiece." 

8. Why does Socrates outline the components/nature of the soul? How does it relate to his thesis about madness? 

9. Explain the metaphor Socrates describes for the soul and the accompanying myth re: why some souls are mortal bodies. 

10. Articulate the "hierarchy" of the souls. What does it reveal? 

11. Recap the kinds of madness that Socrates articulates. Describe the 4th kind of madness; relate it to rhetoric. 

12. Describe what the white and black horses symbolize. Who/What is the charioteer?  

13. Why is philosophy important for the soul? 

14. Explain Socrates' position on the relationship between rhetoric and truth. 

15. Why is structure/organization important? 

16. Why does Socrates reuire a rhetorician to analyze the souls of his audience? Does his view of audience analysis and adaptation differ from his indictment of rhetoricians who pander to their audience? Why or why not? 

17. On pp. 62-64,  Socrates specifies several steps for one who wants to develop a "science of rhetoric." What are the requirements? (important) 

18. Explain Socrates' objections to writing. How does this dialogue confirm or deny his objections? 

Back to Rhetorical Theory Handouts