In this dialogue, Socrates concludes that the title character has no special skill and must be possessed by a Muse when he practices his art, partly because he's bored by all creators of that art except Homer.
This work ends by calling one man a Protean who slips away in the guise of a general after that man claims to be a superb commander. This work examines a series of passages illustrating different professions to demonstrate that the title character's knowledge is inferior to the masters of each of those crafts. This dialogue employs a metaphor involving the stone of Heraclea to illustrate how, much like objects that have been magnetized can in turn magnetize other objects, so abilities imparted by (*) divinities to men are spread via a chain. In this dialogue, Socrates concludes that the title character has no special skill and must be possessed by a Muse when he practices his art, partly because he's bored by all creators of that art except Homer. For 10 points, identify this Platonic dialogue in which Socrates explains to the title poet that his skill isn't his own.
This work ends by calling one man a Protean who slips away in the guise of a general after that man claims to be a superb commander.
Ion