Prose Set Text Group 1 (2025–26): Plato, Republic Book 1, 327a–332b

Plato's Republic Book 1 opens with Socrates and his companion Glaucon returning from a religious festival when they are detained by Polemarchus and his friends. The dialogue quickly shifts to the house of Cephalus, an elderly and wealthy metic, where Socrates engages in a philosophical discussion about justice. The passage 327a–332b covers the initial definitions of justice proposed by Cephalus and Polemarchus, and Socrates' refutations of them. This section is foundational for the entire Republic, as it sets up the problem of defining justice and introduces the Socratic method of elenchus (cross-examination).

For OCR A-Level Greek students, this passage is crucial for understanding Plato's philosophical method and the development of his ethical theory. You will need to analyse the Greek text closely, paying attention to vocabulary, syntax, and rhetorical devices. The passage also introduces key themes such as the nature of justice, the role of wealth, and the relationship between speaking truth and paying debts. Mastering this section will help you appreciate how Plato builds his argument against conventional morality and prepares the ground for his own positive theory of justice in later books.

In the wider context of the A-Level, this passage is part of Prose Set Text Group 1, which requires you to translate, analyse, and comment on the Greek. You should be able to discuss the philosophical arguments, the characterisation of interlocutors, and the literary features of the dialogue. This passage also connects to other parts of the Republic, such as the Ring of Gyges and the tripartite soul, so a solid understanding here will benefit your overall study of Plato.