Relationships: Love:
Phaedrus– No young man could derive greater Phaedrus- Love has the greatest benefits. Phaedrus provides
benefit than from a good lover, and no lover could examples of brave and honourable actions performed by those
derive greater benefit than from a young loved one. in love, including the story of Alcestis and how she was willing
to die for her husband Admetus.
Phaedrus– An army of young lovers would be
invincible due to the loyalty and bravery that Pausanias– Loving is neither a good nor a bad activity. If it is
inspires its members. done properly it is good and if not it is bad. The main purpose of
love is to produce virtue.
Eryximachus– When practising love, one is promoting order and
so improves people.
Agathon– Love practises moderation. Love is wise since he the
Plato’s inspiration for all other acts of wisdom.
Symposium
Desire:
Men: Aristophanes– People longed for their original
nature so when they found their other half, they
Aristophanes– Applauds male-male relationships between men
would embrace and stay together, not wanting
and boys since such couples value boldness, braveness and
anything else.
masculinity both in themselves and others.
Alcibiades– Socrates is a lover of beautiful boys, but
Pausanias– Heavenly love is only directed at males as this kind of
not in terms of physical beauty, riches or fame. He
love is usually felt for boys of developing maturity who show
desires beauty and good things.
signs of intelligence. Pausanias notes that appropriate love takes
place when the lover makes the loved one good and wise,
educating him and teaching him virtue.
Phaedrus– No young man could derive greater Phaedrus- Love has the greatest benefits. Phaedrus provides
benefit than from a good lover, and no lover could examples of brave and honourable actions performed by those
derive greater benefit than from a young loved one. in love, including the story of Alcestis and how she was willing
to die for her husband Admetus.
Phaedrus– An army of young lovers would be
invincible due to the loyalty and bravery that Pausanias– Loving is neither a good nor a bad activity. If it is
inspires its members. done properly it is good and if not it is bad. The main purpose of
love is to produce virtue.
Eryximachus– When practising love, one is promoting order and
so improves people.
Agathon– Love practises moderation. Love is wise since he the
Plato’s inspiration for all other acts of wisdom.
Symposium
Desire:
Men: Aristophanes– People longed for their original
nature so when they found their other half, they
Aristophanes– Applauds male-male relationships between men
would embrace and stay together, not wanting
and boys since such couples value boldness, braveness and
anything else.
masculinity both in themselves and others.
Alcibiades– Socrates is a lover of beautiful boys, but
Pausanias– Heavenly love is only directed at males as this kind of
not in terms of physical beauty, riches or fame. He
love is usually felt for boys of developing maturity who show
desires beauty and good things.
signs of intelligence. Pausanias notes that appropriate love takes
place when the lover makes the loved one good and wise,
educating him and teaching him virtue.
