Plato's Symposium

Socrates 470-399 B.C.E.

Considered the world's first philosopher, Socrates witnessed the gradual downfall of Athenian society following the Pelopponesian War (431-404 B.C.E.). The losses Athens suffered led to the end of the Golden Age of Athens, and a dark period of governmental failure and corruption. There followed an eight-month period in which Athens was ruled by a oligarchichal assembly rulers who called themselves "The Thirty Tyrants"; however these rulers were overthrown and a new, diplomatic regime was soon reinstated. However, the 'democracy' of Athens was not to be confused with the democracy of present Western civilization. Plato, Socrates' most avid admirer, denounced Athenian democracy under which Socrates was killed as little more "than tyranny"since it "gives power to the ignorant many over the enlightened few." In his generative text, The Republic, Plato argued that in his own imagined society of democratic rule, philosophers would become rulers and vice versa--and that in fact those like Socrates would be the "leader he deserved to be" (863-4).

During his lifetime, Socrates did not record his philosophical teachings in writing; yet, it would appear that he was a magnanimous personality who commanded the respect and devotion of a number of proteges. A sophist (wisdom teacher), he chose to live simply, eschewing material wealth and political aspirations. To his pupils and associates, he was beloved and admired; to those beyond his intimate circle, he was despised and feared. In 399 B.C.E., Socrates was cited by the Athenian government for impiety: in his case, he was jailed and executed for the crimes of "inventing new deities, failing to believe in the gods of the city, and for 'corrupting the youth'" of Athens. As punishment he was forced to drink hemlock and died.

Plato 429-347 B.C.E.

Plato, the most famous and revered pupil of Socrates, was born to a wealthy and privileged Athenian family. Schooled by his mentor Socrates, he demonstrated an early interest in poetry, and perhaps wrote one tragedy (863). Your text points out that "Plato," which means "broad shouldered" may well have been a nickname assigned to him during his youth in sports, and that his original, given name was Aristocles. In any case, Plato, as he is now known famously, is credited for presenting the basis for philosophical, ethical, and polemical thought that survives today in the modern world. It is also through Plato--and Xenophon--a second protege of Socrates--that we understand the philosophical teachings of his tutor, Socrates.

Each philosopher gives differing interpretations of the scholar's personality and philosophies; however, even within Plato's writings of Socrates, he is sometimes shown as having contradicting impulses and personality traits. "In some [texts], Socrates professes total ignorance, and the result of all his questions is only to show that other people, too, have incomplete understanding of basic evaluative concepts like courage, pleasure, and holiness. In others, Plato's Socrates makes far more substantive claims" (863). Our text observes the possibility that, much like any other literary character, Plato chose to convey different aspects of his tutor that fit the genre and context of each dialogue.

The Symposium is fictionalized platonic dialogue among many of Plato's contemporaries. The "symposium" which means "Drinking Party" is dedicated to the discussion of eros--or sexual love, a matter which draws "universal interest and appeal" (864). The characters include the "soupy young tragic poet" Agathon; Eryximachus, an arrogant, posturing physician; the 'playboy' Alcibiades; Aristophanes, a 'drunken playboy' and Socrates the philosopher.

The Symposium begins as a frame narrative: a dialogue between two speakers conveys the place and time of the Symposium's occurrence, which was the moment Apollodorus, a follower of Socrates, "is accosted in the street by a friend who begs to be told about the famous party at the house of Agathon. Apollodorus explains that the party was not a recent event, but took place several years before: at the time of Agathon's first victory in the dramatic competition at the great Dionysia (in 416 B.C.E.)" (865).

The structure of the narrative, particularly as an overheard conversation, lends itself to specific themes:

Nostalgia (for a lost golden age before the Peloponnesian War.)
Redemption of Socrates' character in the face of his enemies
The central concern of the Symposium: "[t]he deep human desire for an absent, distant, perhaps unattainable object--whether that object is a long-gone drinking party, a sexy or puzzling person, or an abstract idea of beauty" (865).

Characters:
Agathon
Eryximachus
Alcibiades
Aristophones
Socrates

Terms
Eros
Frame Narrative
Ladder of Love
Platonic Love
Pederasty
Erastes
Eromenos