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1-Page Summary of The Consolation Of Philosophy
Overall Summary
Book I, Part I
Boethius sings that he has lost his usual joy because of his illness. He is inspired by the Muses, who have always been with him since he was young. However, now he is old and sick and must confront death. He realizes that this proves that humans are insecure even when they think they’re happy.
Boethius is in awe of the woman that appears to him. She is both old and young, tall yet short, and she wears clothes made of fine material. However, they are torn by marauders as though it was her destiny to be torn apart. She holds books and a scepter.
A woman enters a room and sees three Muses talking to Boethius. She is upset because she thinks that the Muses are making his sickness worse by encouraging him to be passionate instead of rational. The man, however, is not just any man—he’s a scholar who has studied philosophy from Zeno and Plato. The woman calls the Muses “Sirens” and they leave in shame.
Book I, Part II
A mysterious woman is singing to Boethius, telling him that he has lost his way and needs to get back on track. He used to study astronomy and understand the mysteries of nature but now he is a prisoner of night in his own room. She says she has taught, nurtured, and protected him but he threw it all away. She knows that Boethius recognizes her so why doesn’t he respond? It’s not because he’s ashamed—she’d rather it be shame than nothing at all—but out of astonishment. Seeing this, she holds him and promises that soon enough “he will remember” who he really is. With her dress, she wipes the tears from his eyes which have obscured his vision until now
Book I, Part III
In a song, Boethius compares the way his despair disappeared through his meeting with the mysterious woman to the Sun re-emerging after a storm. He realizes that she is “Philosophy” and has taken care of him since he was young. She reminds him that “wisdom has been threatened with danger by the forces of evil” many times, like when “Socrates was unjustly put to death,” and during centuries of infighting among various philosophical groups. Those who stole her pieces acted as though they had obtained all wisdom in life. Many philosophers have been rejected because they spent their lives displeasing wicked men who blindly followed their ignorance. When these people strike back with their superior numbers, Philosophy continues, philosophers must withdraw to a strong point and save their citadel from assaults by folly.
Book I, Part IV
Philosophy tells Boethius to be strong and composed in the face of good and bad fortune. She says that wise people are not affected by the actions of others, especially tyrants. Philosophy asks Boethius if he understands what she’s said, but he responds that she already knows why he is crying. He has been attacked by Fortune despite his best efforts to follow her teachings: since Plato argued that governments should be led by philosophers rather than wicked men who want power, Boethius joined the government and spent his life trying to defend justice even though it earned him many enemies.
Boethius explains that he has been accused of treason and is now in prison. He wanted to protect the Senate, but was sentenced anyway. The Senate has stripped him of everything and condemned him to death. Boethius believes this is unjust because he’s always tried to follow God’s teachings by studying Philosophy.
Boethius complains that people blame the victim for their own misfortune. They think that the innocent are punished for crimes they did not commit and also deserve what they suffer. He notes that wicked people celebrate his condemnation, while good men live in fear.
