Final answer:
The accounts of Socrates' trial by Xenophon and Plato differ in their portrayal of his motives and demeanor. Xenophon suggests Socrates was weary and thus antagonistic, possibly seeking death, while Plato portrays him as a principled defender of philosophy. Socrates' choice to remain true to his oath and accept the death penalty is a point of convergence in both accounts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The accounts of Xenophon and Plato both provide narratives of the trial of Socrates, but they shed different lights on the philosopher's motives and attitude during the proceedings. Xenophon presents a Socrates who does not seek to escape his fate, instead appearing as someone resigned or even desirous of the trial's outcome. This contrasts with Plato's portrayal of Socrates as a staunch defender of the philosophical life, suggesting that their accounts may differ in tone and emphasis rather than fact.
The claim by Xenophon that Socrates was old and tired and sought to antagonize the jury seems to de-emphasize the philosophical and moral autonomy highlighted in Plato's dialogues. In Plato, Socrates' refusal to abandon his principles, even when faced with death, underscores his unique moral stance. Socrates' death is seen as a martyrdom for philosophy, while Xenophon hints at a more complex, perhaps human, motivation behind his actions.
Both accounts converge on the outcome: Socrates' conviction and sentencing to death, a pivotal moment that would mark him as a martyr to some and a cautionary tale to others. Despite differences, neither text alleges a distortion by Plato at Socrates' trial, where he refused to plead for mercy, remaining true to his oath, and subsequently accepting his sentence.