# Socrates — Short Fiction character guide

> Socrates in Short Fiction by Vladimir Korolenko.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** The stubborn Socrates, unfortunate Socrates, good Socrates, impious Socrates

**First appearance:** 0001-short-fiction

## Snapshot

The stubborn Socrates, executed by a frenzied Athens, haunts his disciple Ctesippus as a question no god, sea, or night can answer.

## Who they are

Socrates is the master whose unjust death has shattered Ctesippus, the man who once alone opposed the mob's savage sentence against the victorious generals. Now his disciple wanders the shore, blaming himself and his friends for failing to defend him, crying out to sea and stars for the mystery of that death. The silence of Socrates's sealed lips drives the story's grief and its indictment of the city that killed its best man.

## Relationships

### [Elpidias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/elpidias)

_friendship_

Elpidias and Socrates are intellectual companions or fellow philosophers, engaging in dialogue.

### [Elpidias](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/elpidias)

_friendship_

Elpidias and Socrates are intellectual companions or fellow philosophers, engaging in dialogue.

## In the story

### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/vi)

One of the escapees; mentioned as part of the group.

### [I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/i)

The philosopher condemned to death; refuses to flee, chooses to die by hemlock, embodying his principles.

### [II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/ii)

Recently executed philosopher; his death and teachings dominate the chapter.

### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/iv)

Appears as a shade in Hades, guiding Elpidias with philosophical questioning and sharing an allegory about a youth's quest for his father.

### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/chapters/v)

Defends his philosophical quest against Zeus, declaring himself a 'digger of dung' necessary for a future temple of faith.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters/socrates
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/short_fiction_54_se/characters