One of the most famous works of literature in the Western world, Plato's Symposium is also one of the most entertaining. The scene is a dinner party in Athens in 416 B.C. at which the guests - including the comic poet Aristophanes and Plato's mentor, Socrates - playfully discuss the nature of eros, or love. By turns earthly and sublime, the dialogue culminates with Socrates's famous account of the "ladder of love," an extended analysis of the many forms of eros. The evening ends with a speech by the drunken Alcibiades, the ...
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One of the most famous works of literature in the Western world, Plato's Symposium is also one of the most entertaining. The scene is a dinner party in Athens in 416 B.C. at which the guests - including the comic poet Aristophanes and Plato's mentor, Socrates - playfully discuss the nature of eros, or love. By turns earthly and sublime, the dialogue culminates with Socrates's famous account of the "ladder of love," an extended analysis of the many forms of eros. The evening ends with a speech by the drunken Alcibiades, the most popular and powerful Athenian of the day, who insists on praising Socrates rather than love, offering up a brilliant character sketch of the enigmatic philosopher.
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The writings of Plato can be quite an inspiration to anyone's life. While other ordinary books suggest a hazy picture of a philosophy, Plato delineates a detailed image of the simpleste things we view and feel in life.
Selina
Oct 1, 2007
Wonderful
This is one of the few books I read in Greak Civ that I really liked. The language can be a bit rough to understand in parts, but this is truly on interesting book. This is more a book to read and debate with friends. Plato brings up many points that are important even in today's world. This is not a quick read, but it is well worth the time to read Plato's brilliant work.