Socrates Numero Dos

Socrates, a man willing to die for his beliefs and teachings. Not afraid of death, nor the views of other people. According to Plato in the Apology, Socrates emphasizes the fact that "[he] shall never alter [his] ways." (Plato, n.p.) But does this make Socrates a martyr? Personally, I don't think he could be considered a martyr, due to the fact that he did not willingly give up his life for his personal and philosophical beliefs. This strong statement re-emphasize that Socrates is a man of his words and beliefs, he doesn't give in to the other citizen's remarks or judgements, but continues to refute others and prove his point of view. The question of whether he is a martyr is tricky, since Socrates can be seen as a martyr-figure because of his strong mentality and his actual death at the end, but his death wasn't originally planned by him, nor does he want to die, even though he isn't afraid of death. As stated, it is evident that Socrates will not change his values even with the threats of death or the actual sentencing of it. It is interesting when Socrates comments on his death sentence, he doesn't feel sorry for himself or begs for mercy; he goes and reprimands his accusers and those that supported the accusers, and comforts his followers and friends. Although he was prosecuted for the corruption of young minds and the introduction of a new god, he accepted these accusations and accepted his sentence for death; he is not considered a martyr, though he can be seen as a martyr-figure - courageous, outspoken, strong-willed.

Plato. Apology. The Internet Classics Archive, n.d. Translator Benjamin Jowett. Web. 09, Oct. 2011