Socrates' forte was IRONY, which is the use of words to convey a meaning that is the opposite of its literal meaning. Socrates was a classical Greek philosopher who lived in Athens during the 5th century BCE. He is renowned for his Socratic method of questioning, which was a form of philosophical dialogue between teacher and student. IRONY was an important tool in Socrates' teaching, as it allowed him to challenge his students' beliefs and assumptions.