The Consolation of Philosophy

Book 1

Boethius is under arrest for treason and confined to his chamber, ruminating on his miserable situation. He has tried to take refuge in poetry as various poetic muses have appeared in his room to inspire him. Suddenly, another apparition appears, a female figure Boethius doesn’t recognize. She wears a long gown. In her left hand she has books; in her right, a scepter. This new apparition rebukes the muses for their ineffectiveness and they flee. The apparition then chastises Boethius for not recognizing her and for wallowing in self-pity. She says he is confused about his situation and will feel better only when he recognizes his “true identity.”

The apparition wipes Boethius’ eyes with her robe and he realizes she is the goddess Philosophy. Boethius is relieved and his melancholy lifts for a moment. He asks her why she has appeared, thinking that maybe she is going to go on trial with him. She says she has come to support him, just as she supported other condemned philosophers, such as Socrates and Seneca. The philosopher shouldn’t worry about physical harm, she says. He should be above it. Boethius can’t accept this and begins railing about how he was wronged...