The Republic begins with Socrates attempting to persuade his interlocutors to release him.  Implicit in Socratess response is the idea that the meaning of words refers to a truer and/or better way of acting.  Also, it implies that rational persuasion should have the power to compel someone to resist their fleeting, egoistical, and base desires.  Explain how Plato understands the problem of (rational) persuasion and how he develops his philosophy to overcome the problem.  Do you believe he is successful?

You should structure your paper to discuss how, for Plato, knowledge is power.  Here are some possible sections of The Republic that express this point: 

In Book 1, Socrates uses the example of medical knowledge.  How does Socratess example help to explain the idea that knowledge is power?
At the end of Book 2, Socrates argues that there cannot be a chaotic or evil God which everyone could use as an ideal.
Explain how the attainment of educations goal, i.e. truth and/or complete meaning, can perfect an individuals existence.  Use the allegory of the cave and the idea of the Good in Book 7 to explain this.
Why does he in Book 10 argue that an ideal world provides the only good, but this requires giving up on bodily goods?

Use and reference to the text is expected.