How is Xenophon’s portrayal of Socrates different from Plato’s portrayal?

Xenophon and Plato provide distinct portraits of Socrates, shaped by their unique literary and philosophical goals.

While Plato is recognized as a deeper philosopher who used the character of Socrates to explore complex metaphysical and ethical theories, Xenophon presents a more down-to-earth, practical figure. In works like the Memorabilia, Xenophon depicts a Socrates who offers pragmatic advice on topics such as household management, agriculture, and personal conduct, often aiming to refute the charges of corruption and impiety brought against him.123

In contrast, Plato’s earlier dialogues—such as Euthyphro or Laches—portray a Socrates who professes ignorance and engages in the Socratic method to expose the intellectual contradictions of his interlocutors. While Xenophon’s Socrates is a teacher of virtue and proper behavior, Plato’s Socrates is an "ignorant inquirer" whose wisdom lies in recognizing his own lack of knowledge. Furthermore, Plato eventually used the character of Socrates to advocate for his own original philosophical ideas, whereas Xenophon’s writings are often viewed as attempts to preserve a more conventional, albeit sanitized, memory of his mentor.423