Final answer:
Socrates accuses Meletus of being an irresponsible artist who lacks understanding of his work's moral implications, having failed to substantiate his accusations of corruption and impiety during Socrates's trial.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Goldstein's words, Socrates accuses Meletus, the 'unknown poet', of being a kind of artist who is irresponsible and ignorant about the moral consequences of his work. During Socrates's trial, he questions Meletus about the charges of corruption of the young and impiety. Socrates exposes the inconsistencies in Meletus's accusations by proving that Meletus cannot name any individual corrupted by Socrates, and he also pushes Meletus into admitting that Socrates must believe in gods if he teaches about spiritual matters, hence invalidating the accusation of atheism. Furthermore, Socrates's defense is characterized by his refusal to conform or seek mercy, prioritizing his philosophical beliefs and determination to live a virtuous life over the fear of death, aligning himself against the sophistry and superficiality represented by figures like Meletus.