What are some of the arguments employed throughout this dialogue? Are they convincing?įeel free to post any questions or comments that you have about the dialogue below, and you are welcome to bring in reflections on other works from antiquity as well.Ĭlick Here to download a. Why might Ion compare the general to the rhapsode? What does this say about Ion's character? Is there an irony in this? Why might Plato make Socrates do that? Notice that Socrates himself recites poetry in 538c-539d. Why does Socrates so adamantly wish to deny the rhapsode knowledge of that which he recites? Here are some questions to think about as you read: Keep this in mind as you read this dialogue. Thus, Plato is saying just as much about the characters as he is about the topic at hand. Not only does Plato comment on the subject of each dialogue, but he also works to recreate the dramatic personae of each character involved in the dialogue. He could have easily written an account of the information in this dialogue through some other medium, so why did he use a dialogue? We must be aware of the subtleties of this writing style. While this dialogue is certainly informative about how poetry is presented (through rhapsody), it also shows the masterfulness of Plato’s style of writing. pdf version of the dialogue in translation. This week, we will be reading one of Plato's early and shortest dialogues, the Ion.Ĭlick Here to download a. The purpose of this group is to read a sample of ancient Greek literature, so you are invited post any interpretations of or reflections on the readings. This is the second week of reading group A, which will last from 6/11-6/17. For the rhapsode ought to interpret the mind of the poet to his hearers, but how can he interpret him well unless he knows what he means? All this is greatly to be envied.Click Here to participate in the first week of translating Xenophon's Apologia (6/9-6/15). And no man can be a rhapsode who does not understand the meaning of the poet. Then, again, you are obliged to be continually in the company of many good poets and especially of Homer, who is the best and most divine of them and to understand him, and not merely learn his words by rote, is a thing greatly to be envied. Soc.: I often envy the profession of a rhapsode, Ion for you have always to wear fine clothes, and to look as beautiful as you can is a part of your art. Soc.: Well done and I hope that you will do the same for us at the Panathenaea. Ion: I obtained the first prize of all, Socrates. Soc.: And were you one of the competitors-and did you succeed?

Ion: O yes and of all sorts of musical performers.

Soc.: And do the Epidaurians have contests of rhapsodes at the festival? Ion: No, Socrates but from Epidaurus, where I attended the festival of Asclepius. Are you from your native city of Ephesus?

Ion by plato