Analysis Of Love Speeches In Plato's Symposium
In In Plato' Symposium, a group of philosophers discuss the meaning of love, and the circumstances in which it holds true. This is done after the aid of many drinks, in honor of Dionysus, a God of animalistic urges, drink and fun.
Phaedrus begins the speeches on love by describing love as an old God. Stating “...nobody to this day has had the courage to praise Love in such terms that he deserves. So completely has this mighty god been neglected.” Phaedrus draws upon myths such as Hercules, and speaks on how love requires pain. Due to the potential hurt, love is not reached to its full potential. Many shy away from this since we want whoever we love to only encounter things within their best interest, since it hurts us to see their pain. When we can see and learn through rough patches in our love rather than escaping from them, the ideal form of unconditional love we see in myths will be present.
Pausanias speaks next, and highlights the distinction between a “Common Love”, which holds simple and mindless desire, and “Heavenly Love”, which is between a man and a boy. This love is often seen as the heteroeroticisum in sports. The younger man is thought everything from poetry and wisdom, to sexual endeavours by the older man. This type of love looks for the growth of an individual, and is still highly centered on bettering oneself and virtues. Pausanias states that “Love is not single” which explains that there are distinct forms love can take for others, as well as love having no right or wrong form, but can reach its ideal form when one lover submits to the possession of their beloved. Dominant and submissive roles are highly present in this argument.
Next was Eryximachus, who looked at love with a doctor’s view. He suggested that love is created by being drawn to someone with a healthy body who you see as a fit partner to procreate with. Eryximachus believed that love was not only confined to human interaction alone, but rather could be found in many medians, including music, medicine, art, and practically anything which draws a passion from someone. Eryximachus says that “...love whose object is good and whose fulfilment is fulfilment is attended by sobriety and virtue”. This reflects some modern ideas of being “married to your job”. This theory also shows that feeling drawn to something or someone will make people behave more in line, as well as boost morale in not only the workplace, but many social settings as well. Having a purpose, whether it be family, music, work or art, turns you into a better person.
The comic poet Aristophanes spoke after. Aristophanes drew on a myth that suggested we were once all twice the people we are now, which included three genders, a man, a woman, and a hermaphrodite. Due to us threatening the gods, Zeus proceeded to cut us in half in order to “...allow the human race to exist by putting an end to their wickedness and making them weaker”. Now, humans wander the earth looking for our other half in order to become whole again. This explains gay, lesbian and straight relationships between people, and shows just how normal homosexual relations were not only to the Greeks themselves, but even to their God’s. This theory touches on the idea of soulmates as well, and has a deeply romantic base with the idea that we are not whole and cannot reach our full potential without our other halves.
Agathon follows up Aristophanes, and delivers a speech which identifies love in a poetic and beautiful sense, much like we see in literature and media. He holds love responsible for implanting all of the virtues we hold within us, stating “... in which we ought to praise Love, describing first his nature and afterwards the gifts which he bestows.” The way to appreciate love first takes acceptance and willingness to open up, and then all the good things will come. Socrates questions Agathon's speech, and suggests that Agathon may have spoken about the object of love, rather than love itself. This is a common theme in modern life, where the idea of love and the actual feeling are entangled.
In order to build off of Agathon’s explanation and share his view, Socrates shares what he was told once by a wise woman, Diotima. According to Diotima, love is not a God, but rather a “spirit” which mediates between humans and the objects of their desires. Love is not wise or beautiful, but rather the pure desire for wisdom and beauty. Diotima sees love expressed through pregnancy and reproduction. Reproduction to Diotima includes that of children, as well as the sharing and formation of ideas and philosophy.
When recapped, Phaedrus looks back at love’s lineage, and draws examples from myth. Pausanias holds a more ‘sophistic view’ and sees the cash value of love. Eryximachus has a doctor’s specific view, and sees love in a clinical manner. Aristophanes looks at love with a playwright’s imaginative view. Agathon sees love as a beautiful, poetic speech of praise. Socrates tells the story of Diotima’s “love”, where it is expressed through gaining offspring and wealth vs. poverty. A drunk Alcibiades holds an encomium of Socrates perspective. The idea that love brings you into a place of higher moral was the most common theme within the speeches. All of the philosophers hinted at the fact that you will do things to please your love.
I believe that Eryximachus’ myth of the three genders who got split in halves and are constantly searching for their other half to complete them is the most romantic stance on love, and although the backstory is lovely, I believe his best argument which was made was that love can take on many forms, and is not limited just for other people. The love speeches all contained a new form of love, and Eryximachus’ explanation validates that there is different love for different situations. , a group of philosophers discuss the meaning of love, and the circumstances in which it holds true. This is done after the aid of many drinks, in honor of Dionysus, a God of animalistic urges, drink and fun.
Phaedrus begins the speeches on love by describing love as an old God. Stating “...nobody to this day has had the courage to praise Love in such terms that he deserves. So completely has this mighty god been neglected.” Phaedrus draws upon myths such as Hercules, and speaks on how love requires pain. Due to the potential hurt, love is not reached to its full potential. Many shy away from this since we want whoever we love to only encounter things within their best interest, since it hurts us to see their pain. When we can see and learn through rough patches in our love rather than escaping from them, the ideal form of unconditional love we see in myths will be present.
Pausanias speaks next, and highlights the distinction between a “Common Love”, which holds simple and mindless desire, and “Heavenly Love”, which is between a man and a boy. This love is often seen as the heteroeroticisum in sports. The younger man is thought everything from poetry and wisdom, to sexual endeavours by the older man. This type of love looks for the growth of an individual, and is still highly centered on bettering oneself and virtues. Pausanias states that “Love is not single” which explains that there are distinct forms love can take for others, as well as love having no right or wrong form, but can reach its ideal form when one lover submits to the possession of their beloved. Dominant and submissive roles are highly present in this argument.
Next was Eryximachus, who looked at love with a doctors view. He suggested that love is created by being drawn to someone with a healthy body who you see as a fit partner to procreate with. Eryximachus believed that love was not only confined to human interaction alone, but rather could be found in many medians, including music, medicine, art, and practically anything which draws a passion from someone. Eryximachus says that “...love whose object is good and whose fulfilment is fulfilment is attended by sobriety and virtue” This reflects some modern ideas of being “married to your job”. This theory also shows that feeling drawn to something or someone will make people behave more in line, as well as boost morale in not only the workplace, but many social settings as well. Having a purpose, whether it be family, music, work or art, turns you into a better person.
The comic poet Aristophanes spoke after. Aristophanes drew on a myth that suggested we were once all twice the people we are now, which included three genders, a man, a woman, and a hermaphrodite. Due to us threatening the gods, Zeus proceeded to cut us in half in order to “...allow the human race to exist by putting an end to their wickedness and making them weaker” Now, humans wander the earth looking for our other half in order to become whole again. This explains gay, lesbian and straight relationships between people, and shows just how normal homosexual relations were not only to the Greeks themselves, but even to their God’s. This theory touches on the idea of soulmates as well, and has a deeply romantic base with the idea that we are not whole and cannot reach our full potential without our other halves.
Agathon follows up Aristophanes, and delivers a speech which identifies love in a poetic and beautiful sense, much like we see in literature and media. He holds love responsible for implanting all of the virtues we hold within us, stating “... in which we ought to praise Love, describing first his nature and afterwards the gifts which he bestows.” The way to appreciate love first takes acceptance and willingness to open up, and then all the good things will come. Socrates questions Agathon's speech, and suggests that Agathon may have spoken about the object of love, rather than love itself. This is a common theme in modern life, where the idea of love and the actual feeling are entangled.
In order to build off of Agathon’s explanation and share his view, Socrates shares what he was told once by a wise woman, Diotima. According to Diotima, love is not a God, but rather a “spirit” which mediates between humans and the objects of their desires. Love is not wise or beautiful, but rather the pure desire for wisdom and beauty. Diotima sees love expressed through pregnancy and reproduction. Reproduction to Diotima includes that of children, as well as the sharing and formation of ideas and philosophy.
When recapped, Phaedrus looks back at love’s lineage, and draws examples from myth. Pausanias holds a more ‘sophistic view’ and sees the cash value of love. Eryximachus has a doctor’s specific view, and sees love in a clinical manner. Aristophanes looks at love with a playwright’s imaginative view. Agathon sees love as a beautiful, poetic speech of praise. Socrates tells the story of Diotima’s “love”, where it is expressed through gaining offspring and wealth vs. poverty. A drunk Alcibiades holds an encomium of Socrates perspective. The idea that love brings you into a place of higher moral was the most common theme within the speeches. All of the philosophers hinted at the fact that you will do things to please your love.
I believe that Eryximachus’ myth of the three genders who got split in halves and are constantly searching for their other half to complete them is the most romantic stance on love, and although the backstory is lovely, I believe his best argument which was made was that love can take on many forms, and is not limited just for other people. The love speeches all contained a new form of love, and Eryximachus’ explanation validates that there is different love for different situations.
