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One of the points clarified in this way is then, as mentioned above, Socrates' apparent stubborn foolhardiness in refusing to refute the court's decision. Xenophon notes that Socrates found death desirable over life. This is a point that Socrates himself also addresses in Plato's work, when he considers the possibilities of life after death. Socrates appears to consider both complete annihilation and the migration of the soul as preferable to his current life: annihilation would be like a restful and dreamless sleep, while the soul's migration would result in reuniting with old friends. Both of these possibilities are highly desirable to Socrates.
Unlike Plato, Xenophon places Socrates' ideas surrounding death at the beginning of his work. This places the rest of the philosopher's actions into perspective right at the beginning of the action. In Plato's work, on the other hand, the reader only receives this revelation when Socrates reacts to the death sentence.
As mentioned above, the issue of the court's corruption is also more explicitly and clearly explicated in Xenophon's work than in that of Plato. In Plato, Socrates appears oddly unsurprised by his sentence. Rather than the court specifically, he appears to implicate rival philosophers who brought him to his doom. This is further puzzling, as his defense appears articulate, and more than adequate to prove his innocence regarding all the...
The reason for this can be seen in Socrates' subjective view of his situation as it relates to his accusers and the court. Having the utmost respect for the State and its institutions, the philosopher appears much more concerned with his personal inner battles than his public battle in court. Although he might therefore be aware of the corruption of the court, Socrates may be unwilling to speak openly against it, rather focusing on the enmity between himself, Meletus, and his other rivals.
Xenophon's narrator however has not such limitations, and states openly that the court is not only corrupt in the sense of condemning the innocent, but also of freeing the guilty. Socrates is nonetheless unconcerned, as he is at peace with his fate. By his eloquence and fearless acceptance of his fate, Socrates then earns the respect of both Xenophon's and Plato's readers.
In this way, Xenophon's work appears to address some of the possible confusing elements in Plato's work by providing a wider perspective, and certain background information. Both works are however also great works of literature, each highly enjoyable as a unit unto itself as well.
Sources
Plato. Apology. Trans. By Benjamin Jowett. http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html
Xenophon. Apology of Socrates. Trans. By H.G. Dakyns. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1171/1171-h/1171-h.htm
Sources
Plato. Apology. Trans. By Benjamin Jowett. http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/apology.html
Xenophon. Apology of Socrates. Trans. By H.G. Dakyns. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/1171/1171-h/1171-h.htm
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