The Symposium by Plato [PDF]

Information: The Symposium

• Author: Plato.
• Publication Date: Approximately in the year 380 B.C.
• Main Characters:
  • Phaedrus: Friend of Socrates and host of the banquet.
  • Pausanias: Expert in laws and customs.
  • Eryximachus: Physician and expert in natural sciences.
  • Aristophanes: Comedian and poet.
  • Agathon: Tragic poet and host of the second banquet.
  • Alcibiades: Politician and lover of Socrates.
• Thematic Analysis: "The Symposium" addresses themes such as love, beauty, human nature, and the pursuit of truth. Through the different perspectives presented by the characters, Plato examines the various manifestations of love and emphasizes the importance of transcending physical desires to attain a higher, more spiritual love.
• Historical Context: "The Symposium" was written in ancient Greece during the classical period of Greek philosophy. Plato, a disciple of Socrates and teacher of Aristotle, developed his philosophy through dialogues like "The Symposium," using fictional characters to convey his ideas. The work reflects the mindset and intellectual debates of the time, as well as the influence of sophist philosophy and Greek culture in general.