ESSAY QUESTION – At the conclusion of the Republic, Plato has Socrates describe the philosopher-king and the tyrant as complete opposites, the former being the best sort of human being while the latter exemplifies the worst of humanity. Still, they have in common that both are absolute rulers. Their power over their subjects is unlimited. What, then, distinguishes the philosopher-king and the tyrant as rulers? On your reading of the dialogue, does Plato make a compelling case for regarding the philosopher-king, in his political role, as the opposite of the tyrant?