Socrates
We call him the ‘Father of Philosophy’. Socrates, Plato’s teacher, was the moral conscience of ancient Athens and the thorn in the side of the reigning elite. With his critical questions and commentaries, he challenged everything that was taken for granted. Not without risk to his life: aged 70, Socrates was sentenced to death by drinking poison.
A warm and beautifully made first instalment of a promising series of monologues that shines a light on the greatest thinkers.Knack
In this monologue we meet ‘the gadfly of Athens’ a few hours before his death. He no longer explores just the world around him, but his own life’s work as well. At the end of his life he has found no answers, only more questions. But those questions are inspirational, topical and stimulating. In Van Brabandt’s monologue, the ancient philosopher is a warm and intelligent man who, together with his audience, ponders and debates ideas while the poisoned cup awaits him. ‘Philosophising is detaching the soul from the body,’ this Socrates tells us. ‘Showing the soul the way back home. Home at last.’
Topical and relevantVolkskrant
