Citation

Kondo K. Interpretation (United States) 2015; 42(1): 31-50.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

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Abstract

Scholars have long believed that Socrates's aim in Xenophon's Apology is simply to commit legal suicide. In order to escape decrepitude, Socrates is alleged to have invited death upon himself by provoking the jury. However, an analysis of Xenophon's comments and Socrates's conduct before the trial shows that Socrates's primary purpose is to promote his reputation for virtue. In his official speech before the court, Socrates shifts the topic of the apology from the indictment to his various virtues, provocatively impressing his excellence upon the public. By using his peculiar rhetoric, megale¯goria, he skillfully forces the jury to demand capital punishment out of envy of his greatness rather than proof of his guilt. © 2015 Interpretation, Inc.

Language: en