Phaedo | Four Levels | Adventures In English Vol I | BBA Notes
Author: Plato
Unit 2: Ancient Tales
Subject: Adventures in English Volume I
Literal Comprehension
Phaedo is written by Plato. When Socrates was executed, Phaedo was with him. Phaedo describes the details of Socrates’s death. He says that Socrates was very wise and brave. He perfected to die speaking the truth of life telling a lie. He was accused of misleading the youth and causing them to hold free opinions. So, he was arrested by the authority. But he wasn’t executed immediately since the sacred mission to Delos hadn’t been completed yet. So the execution was delayed until the arrival of the ship of Athens. When the ship came, the day of execution was fixed. One the of execution, many students his friends, and relatives came to meet him in prison. That day had also been passed in the usual Philosophical discussion for a long time. After that, he went into another room. After taking bath he looked fresh.
Then the prison officer came with a bowl of poison and said that Socrates had to drink it. Making the tears in his eyes, he went away. He was offered poison. Even though, he didn’t change his facial expression. Rather he commands his student not to lose their hearts. Then he drank it calmly. He walked for some time. His friend started to weep and he scolded them. Finally, he by down. In the end, he wished that a cock should be offered to a healing god, Asclepius. In this way, the bravest wisest and most upright man died.
Interpretation
The story is trying to say us about the importance of life and death. In our death is inevitable. Everyone should die sooner or later. So, we should accept death for the sake of truth, justice, and prosperity. Death for righteousness never becomes worthless. As in the story Socrates accepts death calmly for the sake of righteousness. He thinks that dying bravely is more satisfactory than living cowardly. So, he accepts death for the sake of truth and humanity.
Critical Thinking
Though the story talks about death for the truth and humanity there are many ideas that are unacceptable.
In this modern age, do we believe in the existence of the soul and life after death?
Do modern people follow such principles as Socrates?
Was the Athenian government so cruel that man couldn’t have the right to express the thoughts?
Assimilation
After reading this lesson I learned a great moral lesson about the truth and justice. I must be bold to speak the truth. If anything is wrong. Moreover, I was a coward and afraid of death. But after reading this story, I have decided to die bravely for the sake of humanity. So, I will always hold truth, Justice, and righteousness.
