Redfield
Lecture
On Plato's Apology of Socrates
On September 25, 2003, Professor James M. Redfield delivered a lecture on and read from his translation of Plato's Apology
of Socrates as part of the Cityfront Forum Series at the Gleacher Center. The Cityfront Forum Series presents free, early-evening lectures by the University's most distinguished faculty on topics of general interest.
This final segment of the alumni discussion of Plato's
Apology, which began online in March 2003, was videotaped
and can be viewed by clicking on the links below.
Professor Redfield reads excerpts from his translation
and provides analysis of the text. We recommend you
refer to your copy of Professor
Redfield's translation,
available here as a PDF file, and follow the paragraph
numbers as they are listed below.
| Plato's Apology of
Socrates |
|
Introduction (07:26)
James
M. Redfield presents his translation of Plato's Apology
and offers us a new reading of the text.
|
| Paragraph 17a - 17c |
|
 Translation
(03:09)
"I don't know how you felt about the
prosecution, gentlemen; as for me, I almost forgot myself,
their speech was so convincing.."
QuickTime: audio only
(56k)
|
Analysis (02:35)
James Redfield
discusses the first section of Plato's Apology and
explores how Socrates must reset the terms of his
trial.
|
| Paragraph 18a - 19a |
Translation (02:23)
"First of all, gentlemen, I am
justified in defending myself against the first false
prosecution..."
QuickTime: audio only
(56k)
|
Analysis (02:02)
Redfield
sheds light on Socrates's belief that powerful voices have
been telling lies about him to the jury, focusing on his
distorted portrayal in The Clouds by
Aristophanes.
|
| Paragraph 21b - 21e |
|
Translation (02:48)
"Now you'll see why I am telling
you all this. I'm going to explain how the prejudice against
me got started..."
QuickTime: audio only
(56k) |
Analysis
(05:33)
Redfield interrogates the subject of wisdom and why
it becomes a central issue in the trial. He examines
Socrates's claim that he is unique, that he alone knows that
he does not know.
|
| Paragraph 24b - 26a |
|
Translation (05:33)
"Concerning the prosecution brought
by my first prosecutors, then, this should be an adequate
defense before you..."
QuickTime: audio only
(56k) |
Analysis (02:35)
Redfield recasts Socrates's questioning of
Meletus as Plato's example of how Socratic arguments entangle
and reveal how people are not wise.
|
| Paragraph 28b - 29a |
|
Translation (05:23)
"Perhaps then someone will say,
'Aren't you ashamed Socrates, of living a lifestyle that puts
you at risk'..."
QuickTime: audio only
(56k) |
Analysis
(05:00)
Redfield turns to Plato's argument that Socrates is
being prosecuted for being a good person and looks at his
belief in the care of the soul.
|
| Paragraph 38c - 39c |
|
Translation (03:15)
"You haven't gained much time,
gentlemen, and in exchange you will have the name of the
charge by people who want to insult the city..."
QuickTime: audio only
(56k) |
Analysis (01:04)
Here
Redfield notes that Plato's primary rhetorical purpose in the
Apology is to recruit us into a Socratic future.
|
