In Plato’s philosophical text The Symposium, several characters, including Socrates, Pausanias, and Eryximachus, give speeches in praise of Love and human sexuality. Xenophon’s Symposium, on the other hand, balances seriousness (σποθδή) and playfulness (παιδία) to discuss love, desire, knowledge, and wealth (X. Sym. 1.1). Plato’s doctor, Eryximachus, establishes his medical expertise by providing medical advice, as well as his medical opinion on the nature of love. Xenophon’s Niceratus establishes his own expertise in Homer by referencing Homeric text in both his speech and his responses to criticism. Through his character depth and his allusions to Homer, Niceratus is meant to be analogous of Eryximachus. In this paper, I will compare Eryximachus’
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Before he goes on to explain how medicine relates to Love, Eryximachus provides his second interjection of medical advice. Aristophanes asks him to both stop his hiccupping and to take his place in the speech-giving, to which Eryximachus responds “ἀλλὰ ποιήσω ἀμφότερα ταῦτα” (Pl. Sym. 185d). Here, Eryximachus uses the particle ἀλλά, which is a stronger and more precise particle than the weaker δέ, to connect the sentences and introduce his thought (Smyth 2775) (Smyth 2834). In this case, ἀλλά works to correct and affirm Aristophanes’ previous questions and suggestions (Smyth 2776). Starting with ἀλλά in the apodosis also emphasizes that he will both provide sufficient medical advice and take Aristophanes’ place (Smyth 2782). Eryximachus uses a stronger particle to introduce his ideas because ἀλλά is more precise, and thus his meaning cannot be misunderstood. In his speech, Eryximachus uses ἀλλά again. He offers that Love is not only expressed in the emotional responses of humans to beautiful people, “ἀλλὰ καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἄλλοις” (Pl. Sym. 186a). Here, ἀλλά is used to correct the preceding phrase, saying that Love is expressed in other responses as well. Finally, in response to Aristophanes’ speech, Eryximachus remarks “ἀλλὰ πείσομαί σοι...καὶ γάρ μοι ὁ λόγος ἡδέως ἐρρήθη” (Pl. Sym. 193e). Eryximachus’ repeated use of ἀλλά continues to grant strength and credibility to …show more content…
Attributing this knowledge to his father’s urging, he says “καὶ νῦν δυναίμην ἂν Ἰλιάδα ὅλην καὶ Ὀδύσσειαν ἀπὸ στὸματος εἰπεῖν” (X. Sym. 3.5). Here, Niceratus uses the particle construction καὶ νῦν, which stresses the importance of his idea. The adverbial form of καί serves to increase the power of the following word, νῦν (Smyth 2881-2). Like Plato’s Eryximachus, Niceratus’ first statement in Xenophon’s text contains a strong particle which sets a tone of credibility to his following comments. However, while Eryximachus continues to make use of ἀλλά, Niceratus begins using a weaker, more causal particle: γάρ (Smyth 2803). While he explains why he is proud of his knowledge in Homer, he assumes that “ἴστε γὰρ δήπου ὅτι Ὅμηρος ὁ πεποίηκε σχεδὸν περὶ πάντων τῶν ἀνθρωπίων” (X. Sym. 4.6). In this case, γάρ is an anticipatory particle, as it justifies Niceratus’ knowledge and introduces what he is about to explain (Smyth 2811). Niceratus goes on to state that anyone who wishes to be like Achilles or Ajax or Nestor of Odysseus should seek him out “ἐγὼ γὰρ ταῦτα πάντα ἐπίσταμαι” (X. Sym. 4.6). Here, Niceratus uses a casual γάρ to imply truth of this previous statement, saying that he does indeed know how to run a household or be a general because of Homer (Smyth 2810). Niceratus’ use of a casual particle weakly connects his points, lessening his overall credibility. Niceratus’ diction,
Before he goes on to explain how medicine relates to Love, Eryximachus provides his second interjection of medical advice. Aristophanes asks him to both stop his hiccupping and to take his place in the speech-giving, to which Eryximachus responds “ἀλλὰ ποιήσω ἀμφότερα ταῦτα” (Pl. Sym. 185d). Here, Eryximachus uses the particle ἀλλά, which is a stronger and more precise particle than the weaker δέ, to connect the sentences and introduce his thought (Smyth 2775) (Smyth 2834). In this case, ἀλλά works to correct and affirm Aristophanes’ previous questions and suggestions (Smyth 2776). Starting with ἀλλά in the apodosis also emphasizes that he will both provide sufficient medical advice and take Aristophanes’ place (Smyth 2782). Eryximachus uses a stronger particle to introduce his ideas because ἀλλά is more precise, and thus his meaning cannot be misunderstood. In his speech, Eryximachus uses ἀλλά again. He offers that Love is not only expressed in the emotional responses of humans to beautiful people, “ἀλλὰ καὶ ἄλλα πολλὰ καὶ ἐν τοῖς ἄλλοις” (Pl. Sym. 186a). Here, ἀλλά is used to correct the preceding phrase, saying that Love is expressed in other responses as well. Finally, in response to Aristophanes’ speech, Eryximachus remarks “ἀλλὰ πείσομαί σοι...καὶ γάρ μοι ὁ λόγος ἡδέως ἐρρήθη” (Pl. Sym. 193e). Eryximachus’ repeated use of ἀλλά continues to grant strength and credibility to …show more content…
Attributing this knowledge to his father’s urging, he says “καὶ νῦν δυναίμην ἂν Ἰλιάδα ὅλην καὶ Ὀδύσσειαν ἀπὸ στὸματος εἰπεῖν” (X. Sym. 3.5). Here, Niceratus uses the particle construction καὶ νῦν, which stresses the importance of his idea. The adverbial form of καί serves to increase the power of the following word, νῦν (Smyth 2881-2). Like Plato’s Eryximachus, Niceratus’ first statement in Xenophon’s text contains a strong particle which sets a tone of credibility to his following comments. However, while Eryximachus continues to make use of ἀλλά, Niceratus begins using a weaker, more causal particle: γάρ (Smyth 2803). While he explains why he is proud of his knowledge in Homer, he assumes that “ἴστε γὰρ δήπου ὅτι Ὅμηρος ὁ πεποίηκε σχεδὸν περὶ πάντων τῶν ἀνθρωπίων” (X. Sym. 4.6). In this case, γάρ is an anticipatory particle, as it justifies Niceratus’ knowledge and introduces what he is about to explain (Smyth 2811). Niceratus goes on to state that anyone who wishes to be like Achilles or Ajax or Nestor of Odysseus should seek him out “ἐγὼ γὰρ ταῦτα πάντα ἐπίσταμαι” (X. Sym. 4.6). Here, Niceratus uses a casual γάρ to imply truth of this previous statement, saying that he does indeed know how to run a household or be a general because of Homer (Smyth 2810). Niceratus’ use of a casual particle weakly connects his points, lessening his overall credibility. Niceratus’ diction,