Exploring The Cause Of Alcibiades Speech By Socrates

Alcibiades’ speech can be understood as a confession of deep love of a young admirer for an esteemed Greek philosopher in the form of several accountable praises. The reasons of this love have been dispersed throughout the speech, giving us glimpses of the consistent perception he held of Socrates. The continuity in this monologue serves as a connection between their varying audiences which is the foundation for this essay. This writing deals with organizing and categorising the different causes of Alcibiades’ devotion, the links between them and focuses on Socrates’ teaching about love while exploring my personal thoughts and experiences. The beginning of Alcibiades’ speech is strikingly similar to its conclusion; hence its rational to arrange the two together. Alcibiades starts by praising the arguments of Socrates and comparing them to the enchanting music of Marsyas that would move people’s hearts (215b). He describes Socrates’ questions to be compelling enough to change people’s beliefs, forcing them to think about …show more content…
Just like when Socrates questions someone, they end up being puzzled and changing their views, he criticizes Alcibiades' expectations about how lovers should mingle: “I was humiliated and yet full of admiration for Socrates character – his restraint and strength of mind. I’d met a man whose equal, in intelligence and control, I didn’t think I should ever meet again” (219d). In my opinion, this incident having intensely affected Alcibiades, holds a high standing in his account, for here he shows high regards for Socrates, yet accuses him of contempt. From the abrupt introduction of Alcibiades in the Symposium, it is evident that Plato shows Alcibiades and other youth being led by Socrates toward the Form of Beauty (211c). This can also be understood through Diotima’s description of psychical childbirth. (Neumann