Crito and Socrates: Courage

Courage can be described in many ways. Courage is shown by an individual who makes a strong point or opinion towards a view. This person makes up their own mind and often composes different ideas to everyone else. Socrates is in jail awaiting prosecution. His friend Crito wants to plan a way to get Socrates out of jail as he is there for an unjust reason. For the duration of Socrates' life, he always abided by the rules and was an extremely ethical man.

Crito visited Socrates in his cell and tried to persuade him to escape. Crito wanted him to do so to protect himself and Socrates' other friends. Crito thought that if he did not help Socrates escape the people on the outside would think of him as a bad friend. Socrates explained to Crito that it did not matter if he lived or died. They had to decide if the action was the right thing to do.

Socrates takes on a character role and speaks as if he were the laws of Athens.

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He puts scenarios towards Crito to decide whether escaping is ethical or not. Socrates always followed the rules, he believed that if he escaped, he would be questioned as to why he did not leave the country sooner or why he decided to go against the law at this late stage of his life. They conclude that one should abide by one's agreement and one should never commit injustice. Therefore, Socrates did not escape from jail.

Courage is shown throughout the dialogue between Crito and Socrates. Socrates showed courage throughout as he was brave. He decided to go with the consequences of an action he was not guilty for. He wanted to go along with the system and abide by the state so no one could say he compromised his ethics that he held throughout his life. Socrates would rather die than changes his beliefs of something.

Crito did not show courage as he was afraid of what people might say about him. He only thought of himself. 'People will be ashamed not only of you but also of your friends, who they will maintain were lacking in the necessary courage to save you from an untimely death.' These people of course would not know that Crito did try to help Socrates, but he did not want to carry out the deed as it would be unjust. It is not important to live; it is important to live honourably and justly.