Boethius, in The Consolation of Philosophy, is simply trying to apply his reason to human existence in order to make sense of that existence in a world which seems to champion evil and defy justice and goodness. The author depicts himself as a man torn by the misfortunes of life, finding some relief if not happiness in the pleasures of poetry. Poetry does not help him make sense of his suffering but at least gives him the opportunity to express his pain: "Poetry, which was once the glory of my happy and flourishing youth, is still my comfort in this misery of my old age" (3).
However, immediately, philosophy comes to him in a vision as Lady Philosophy, offering him more than poetry could ever offer, namely the opportunity to make rational sense of the world as a means of transcending his suffering instead of wallowing in it. The dialogue between Boethius and Lady Philosophy ensues, in which Boethius learns that there is indeed more in life than poetry to answer human suffering. In fact, philosophy offers a return to reason from the madness of meaningless misery, and even happiness or at least well-being which flows from the guidance of reason.
Lady Philosophy's first words to Boethius are to warn him against the false comfort of poetry and to offer instead the true consolation of philosophy and reason. The Muses of Poetry "will only nourish him with their sweet poison" and "kill the fruitful harvest of reason with the sterile thorns of the passions" (4). Philosophy, on the other hand, offers the man medicine, healing, and restoration to his rational state.
Boethius wrote this work while in prison where he would eventually be executed for treason and other charges which may have been false or at least exaggerated. In any case, the author had experienced a sudden and extraordinary fall from grace in his society, suddenly losing the fame and fortune he had won prior to being charged.
The book, then, is an attempt to fi...