In prison awaiting execution on a trumped-up charge (like Socrates), the 5th/6th century Christian philosopher Boethius wrote a Platonic dialogue. In it, Lady Philosophy discusses with the author (!), in a very lively manner, how death is not anything to be afraid of. She tells him about wisdom, the immortal soul, the nature of God, and above all, about love. Boethius' book was one of the main ways in which the philosophy of Plato reached the Latin West before the fall of Constantinople in 1453 and the translation into Latin of Plato's works. "The Consolation of Philosophy" has the unique status of having been translated into Anglo-Saxon by King Alfred, into Middle English by Chaucer, and into Modern English by Queen Elizabeth I. It is widely recognised as a masterpiece of philosophical thought. We will read the Penguin translation by Watts. I will provide a running commentary and facilitate discussion.