ΠΡΟΣ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΟΡΑΝ (β)

ἔπειτα δὲ ὁ Σωκράτης καὶ ὁ Ἀλκιβιάδης τὸν ἄγγελον βλέπουσιν. ὁ δὲ πρὸς τὴν ἀγορὰν ταχέως βαδίζει. ὁ οὖν Ἀλκιβιάδης φησίν · "διὰ τί, ὦ ἄγγελε, τῇ ἀγορᾷ ταχέως προχωρεῖς; ἆρα φίλος ἤ πολέμιος εἶ;" ὁ δὲ ἄγγελος ἀποκρίνεται · "ἐγὼ μέν εἰμι φίλος καὶ ἔχω ὑπὲρ τοῦ Ἀλκιβιάδου τὸ ἄγγελμα." ἐνταῦθα δὴ ὁ Ἀλκιβιάδης μεγάλῃ φονῇ φησιν · "μὰ Δία! ἀλλ' ἐγὼ Ἀλκιβιάδης εἰμί." ὁ δὲ ἄγγελος τῷ Σωκράτῃ φησίν · "ἆρα οὗτος ἀληθῶς λέγει;" ὁ δὲ Σωκράτης φησίν · "μάλιστά γε. οὗτος γὰρ ὁ Ἀλκιβιάδης ἐστίν." ὁ δε Ἄργος καὶ μεγὰ ὑλακτεῖ. ὁ οὖν Ἀλκιβιάδης τὸ ἄγγελμα λάμβανει ἀπὸ τοῦ ἀγγέλου τε καὶ τὸ ἀναγιγνώσκει.

τὸ ἄγγελμα οὕτως ἐστίν · "ἐλθέ, ὦ Ἀλκιβίαδα, πρὸς τὴν ἐμοῦ κωμῳδίαν τήμερον · ἔστι μάλα γέλοια. ὀνόματι Νεφέλαι ἐστίν. ἀλλὰ μὴ φέρε τὸν Σωκράτην! ἡ κωμῳδία αὐτῷ οὐκ ἔστι γέλοια. χαῖρε, ὅ σοι φίλος, Ἀριστοφάνης."

ἐνταῦθα δὴ ὁ Ἀλκιβιάδης τε στενάζει καὶ βοᾷ ·"οἴμοι." ὁ μὲν Σωκράτης ἐρωτᾷ · "τὶ τὸ ἄγγελμα λέγει;" ὁ δὲ Ἀλκιβιάδης οὐκ ἀληθῶς φησιν · "τὸ ἄγγελμα λέγει ὅτι ὁ Ἀγάθων ἐν νῷ ἔχει συμποσίῳ δι' ὀλίγου ποιεῖν. ἆρα, ὦ Σώκρατα, ἐν νῷ ἔχομεν παρεῖναι;" ὁ δὲ Σωκράτης "μάλιστά γέ" φησίν · "ἔγωγε ἐν νῷ ἐχώ παρεῖναι · ἐχώ γὰρ ἐν νῷ ἔχω περὶ τὸν ἔρωτα λέγειν. ὁ γὰρ ἔρως πολλάκις ἐστὶ γλυκυπίκρος."

After the sailors, whom do Socrates and Alcibiades see next? And how is (s)he walking?
1. A dog, walking painfully.
2. A messenger, walking quickly.
3. An angel, walking quickly.
4. A soldier walking slowly.
Is the messenger friend or foe?
1. Friend.
2. Foe.
What is the messenger carrying?
1. A treaty of surrender from the Spartans.
2. A message for Socrates from Aristophanes.
3. A message for Alcibiades from Aristophanes.
4. A summons from an angry father.
What is the gist of Aristophanes' message?
1. That Alcibiades is never again welcome at his οἶκος.
2. That Alcibiades should come to his new play.
3. That Alcibiades should come to his drinking party.
4. That Socrates is a buffoon.
What kind of play is it? And what is its title?
1. A tragedy called The Nephews.
2. A comedy called The Birds.
3. A comedy called The Gnats.
4. A comedy called The Clouds.
What is the one stipulation of Aristophanes' message?
1. That Alcibiades also attend a post-production drinking-party.
2. That no dogs be in the audience.
3. That Alcibiades not bring Socrates to the play.
4. That Alcibiades star in The Clouds.
Why does Aristophanes not want Socrates to attend his new play?
1. Because, despite being funny for most, it will not be so for Socrates.
2. Because Socrates takes up the room of two paying customers.
3. Because Socrates is always talking during the performance.
4. Because Aristophanes hates Socrates.
What does Alcibiades tell Socrates the message is about?
1. A previously held symposium concerning the 'Life of Agathon.'
2. A future drinking party hosted by Agathon.
3. A new, funny play by Aristophanes.
4. A summons from an angry mother.
Does Socrates intend to attend this 'συμπόσιον'?
1. Perhaps.
2. Definitely.
3. Abosolutely not.
For what reason?
1. Because he is always up for free food and wine.
2. Because he loves Agathon.
3. Because Agathon is Socrates' son.
4. Because he intends to discuss the nature of eros.
What, according to Socrates, is a prominent characteristic of 'eros'?
1. Eros is wearisome.
2. Eros is bitter-sweet.
3. Eros is unknowable.
4. Eros is pudgy.

ΠΡΟΣ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΟΡΑΝ (β)

Multiple-choice exercise

ΠΡΟΣ ΤΗΝ ΑΓΟΡΑΝ (β)