Here is the synopsis of our sample research paper on Aristophanes' 'The Clouds' / Socrates & Strepsiades. Have the paper e-mailed to you 24/7/365.
Essay / Research Paper Abstract
A 3 page essay in which the writer describes the inferior intellect of Strepsiades and discusses Socrates' impatience with him. Also discussed are the significance and symbolism of the Clouds themselves with relevance to Socrates' attempts to teach Strepsiades. No other sources cited.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_Clouds.doc
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
a haughty, extravagant woman from the city. When the son was born she wanted him to be named for horsemanship, and they finally called him "Phidippides." Suddenly he has a
bright idea and wakes up his son: he will enroll Phidippides in Socrates Thoughtery. Phidippides objects; they are "quacks with pale faces." Strepsiades wants his son to be able to
reason falsely so that he can win law suits, in particular the suits of his creditors against himself. Phidippides again refuses and Strepsiades turns him out of the house.
Strepsiades knocks on the door of The Thoughtery and is berated by a disciple for bringing on the miscarriage of an idea. After warning Strepsiades that
these ideas are mysteries, the disciple explains that they were measuring how many times the length of its legs a flea jumps. They also discuss whether a gnat buzzes through
its proboscis or its anus, determining that it is through its rump. Strepsiades hears other obscene stories about Socrates genius and is delighted with his cleverness. Inside The Thoughtery Strepsiades
sees the emaciated disciples of Socrates bent over looking fixedly at the ground. The disciple explains that "they are sounding the abysses of Tartarus," while their rumps "are studying astronomy
on their own account." The disciple shows Strepsiades a globe used for astronomy and a map used for geometry. Strepsiades sees Socrates suspended in a
basket, the better to contemplate the sun and penetrate the things of heaven. Strepsiades tells him that he desires to learn how to speak, especially the method of reasoning "whose
object is not to repay anything, and, may the gods bear witness, that I am ready to pay any fee you name." Socrates takes Strepsiades in and begins his initiation.
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