Discover millions of ebooks, audiobooks, and so much more with a free trial

Only $11.99/month after trial. Cancel anytime.

Socrates
Socrates
Socrates
Ebook73 pages59 minutes

Socrates

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars

()

Read preview

About this ebook

François-Marie Arouet wrote under the nom de plume of Voltaire, and produced works in almost every literary form, including plays, poems, novels, essays, and historical and scientific works. Socrates is a play in three acts about Socrates and the events of his trial and eventual death. Satirical in nature it takes aim at government authority and organized religion. Voltaire's contempt for government and religion come through clearly in this play.
LanguageEnglish
Release dateJun 10, 2015
ISBN9781627557481
Socrates
Author

Voltaire

Born in Paris in 1694, François-Marie Arouet, who would later go by the nom-de-plume Voltaire, was a French Enlightenment philosopher, poet, historian, and author. Voltaire’s writing was often controversial, and in 1715 he was sent into his first exile in Tulle after a writing a satirical piece about the Duke of Orleans, the Regent of France. It was during this time that he produced his first major work, the play Oedipus. Although allowed to return to Paris a year later, Voltaire’s writing continued to land him in trouble. He was jailed in the Bastille two more times and was exiled from Paris for a good portion of his life. Throughout these troubles, Voltaire continued to write, producing works of poetry, a number of plays, and some historical and political texts. His most famous work is the satirical novel Candide, and many of his plays, including Oedipus and Socrates, are still performed today. Voltaire died in 1778.

Read more from Voltaire

Related to Socrates

Related ebooks

Biographical/AutoFiction For You

View More

Related articles

Reviews for Socrates

Rating: 0 out of 5 stars
0 ratings

0 ratings0 reviews

What did you think?

Tap to rate

Review must be at least 10 words

    Book preview

    Socrates - Voltaire

    Socrates

    Voltaire

    Translation by William F. Fleming

    Wilder Publications, Inc.

    Copyright © 2014

    All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

    Manufactured in the United States of America

    10   9   8   7   6   5   4   3   2   1

    ISBN 978-1-62755-748-1

    Table of Contents

    Dramatis Personæ

    ACT I.

    SCENE I.

    SCENE II.

    SCENE III.

    SCENE IV.

    SCENE V.

    SCENE VI.

    SCENE VII.

    ACT II.

    SCENE I.

    SCENE II.

    SCENE III.

    SCENE IV.

    SCENE V.

    SCENE VI.

    SCENE VII.

    SCENE VIII.

    SCENE IX.

    SCENE X.

    SCENE XI.

    ACT III.

    SCENE I.

    SCENE II.

    SCENE III.

    SCENE the LAST

    Socrates

    Dramatis Personæ

    Socrates.

    Anitus, High Priest of Ceres. 

    Melitus, one of the Judges of Athens. 

    Xantippe, Wife of Socrates. 

    Aglae, a young Athenian Lady, brought up by Socrates. 

    Sophronimus, a young Athenian Gentleman, brought up by Socrates. 

    Drixa, Terpander, Acros, Friends of Anitus. 

    Judges, Disciples of Socrates, and three Pedants, Protected by Anitus.

    ACT I.

    SCENE I.

    Anitus, Drixa, Terpander, Acros.

    Anitus

    My dear confidante, and you my trusty friends, you well know how much money I have put into your pockets this last feast of Ceres: I am now going to be married, and I hope you will all do your respective duties on this great occasion.

    Drixa

    That, my lord, we most certainly shall, provided you give us an opportunity of getting a little more by it.

    Anitus

    I shall want of you, Madam Drixa, two fine Persian carpets; from you, Terpander, I must have two large silver candlesticks; and from you, half a dozen robes.

    Terpander

    A considerable demand, my lord; but there is nothing which we would not do to merit your holy protection.

    Anitus

    O you will be rewarded for it a hundred fold: ’tis the best means to gain the favor of the gods: give much, and much you shall receive; but above all fail not, I beseech you, to stir up the people against all the rich and great, who are deficient in paying their vows, and presenting their offerings.

    Acros

    On that, my lord, you may depend; it is a duty too sacred ever to be neglected by us.

    Anitus

    ’Tis well, my friends; may heaven continue to inspire you with the same just and pious sentiments, and be assured you will prosper; you, your children, and your children’s children, to all posterity.

    Terpander

    You have said it, my lord, and therefore it must be so.

    SCENE II.

    Anitus, Drixa.

    Anitus

    Well, my dear Drixa, I believe you will have no objection to my marrying Aglae; I shall not love you the less, and we may still live together as we used

    Enjoying the preview?
    Page 1 of 1