As so eloquently defined in the dictionary, the word “symposium” is described as a convivial party in which guests partake in the interchanging of ideas. Thus, in Plato’s aptly named Symposium, a group of partygoers participates in a roundabout style of praise to Eros, the god of love. The structure of the text is simple and yet complex at the same time, allowing the reader to see love from many perspectives from different types of people. And yet, amongst the deep philosophical nature of the piece, the purpose of the symposium never seems clear. If Agathon can sprout a double entendre comparing himself to love, why can’t we say the same double meaning lies true in the text? I will argue that the purpose of the Symposium is to not only make speeches on
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She states the object of human love, what their love is 'of', is the permanent possession for themselves of the good (206A), and that the function of this love is to beget in the beautiful (206E). Keeping this in mind, we can understand why the guests at the symposium are stuck on Diotima’s ladder of love. As one of the prominent lovers, Phaedrus moves along the right lines when he reasons for love to be a teacher, but fails to understand the true meaning of love when he stays fixated on the concept of solely loving one other person (178E-179B). Likewise, as a beloved, Agathon fails to understand the concept of love because he is so focused on the idea that love is something young and eternally beautiful, simply “an ornament of all gods and men” (197E). The speakers at the symposium fail in climbing the ladder of love, not only because of their misconceptions about love itself, but also because they are satisfied with their position on the ladder and are not trying to achieve more. In other words, satisfaction leads to
She states the object of human love, what their love is 'of', is the permanent possession for themselves of the good (206A), and that the function of this love is to beget in the beautiful (206E). Keeping this in mind, we can understand why the guests at the symposium are stuck on Diotima’s ladder of love. As one of the prominent lovers, Phaedrus moves along the right lines when he reasons for love to be a teacher, but fails to understand the true meaning of love when he stays fixated on the concept of solely loving one other person (178E-179B). Likewise, as a beloved, Agathon fails to understand the concept of love because he is so focused on the idea that love is something young and eternally beautiful, simply “an ornament of all gods and men” (197E). The speakers at the symposium fail in climbing the ladder of love, not only because of their misconceptions about love itself, but also because they are satisfied with their position on the ladder and are not trying to achieve more. In other words, satisfaction leads to