English Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words - 12

English - Essay Example Also, they should have responsibility towards the laws of the state. So, this paper will analyze these two responsibilities as well as the relationship of the laws to the state using the text, Trial and Death of Socrates by Plato. That is, the paper will answer the questions about the responsibilities and the relationships using Socrates’ heroic speech, featured in the second part of the work In the work, Socrates was indicted for being a ‘hyper curious’ person and also for being a ‘corrupting influence’ on the Youth. So, in the speech, Socrates counters both these charges in two different ways. As created by Plato, Socrates shows his humbler side in the first part of the work, while in the second part of the work; Socrates presents himself as a heroic figure. In that part, Socrates’ speech is filled with a lot of heroic touches as he fearlessly fights the injustice meted out to him in the court and importantly gives his views on how the individuals should be responsible to the state. Socrates one of the profound intellectuals, the world has seen, earned the wrath of the Anytus, Meletus and Lycon, who accuse him of two civil crimes. Firstly, he was accused of spreading misinformation and also he was accused of intentionally ‘seeding’ unwanted and blasphemous thoughts among the youths against the gods, recognized by the State. So, Socrates while refuting both the charges expresses his views about individual’s responsibility to the state. Socrates expresses it, when he speaks about his role of a well-wisher for the people of Athens. In a highly inflammatory tone, Socrates first claims that nothing good has been happening to Athenians because of the callous attitude and the misrule of the rulers. So, he wants the people not to sit idle, but rise up to take on the responsibility on their own. That is, as states are structural things which cannot function on its own, it has to be the people who govern it, who should take the responsibility.