It only makes sense that one of the most comprehensive philosophical discussions about all the aspects of Love ends with Socrates musing that anyone who fancies himself a comic playwright must also be well versed in tragedy.

And of course, the only un-partnered attendee of the Symposium, Aristophanes, the comic playwright, gives us the tragic (and comedic) basis for our modern conception of soulmates. In which, though physical love is thought to be the basest, it’s the only comfort we have from the agony of being parted from our other halves. Even though we are meant to transcend physical desire in favor of knowing Love himself, to do so would mean certain death in the separation from our beloved.

Perhaps the part most revealing of how humanity could be so consumed by Love while also naming him the greatest of all Dionysian Mysteries, however, is the sudden pause, mid-eulogy, Phaedrus takes to set straight (ha) one of the most contentious debates in history — whether or not Achilles bottomed for Patroclus.

The character Diotima is probably my favourite part about this- it's not often that you see a woman educating a man (especially one considered as thoughtful as Socrates). The use of the cave and shadows also speaks to how people are divided in society via what and how they see, it is quite applicable even to modern audiences.

This text is certainly pivotal for those learning philosophy or classical studies; it is perhaps and easier one to start with than Plato's Republic, however, that too is fantastic.

(4.5⭐) why did this feel like the time my classciv teacher made our class debate the existence of romantic love but far more intelligent maybe he was onto something

This work is a real jewel. Entertaining, and full of all sorts of little tidbits about love and sex; the effects of intoxicants on philosophical discourse; the nature of man's relationship with law. There's a reason everyone in the modern world knows the names of Plato and Socrates- a must read.

I understand how important this work is, you know, history and stuff (hello sarcasm), but there is no need for the introduction to be roughly half the length of the entire work! Seriously, by time I actually got to the work which I would say is about 60 pages long, I’d read 30 pages and knew almost the entire story! Whoever wrote the introduction quoted almost all of it.

Mostly this book brings back the time in my first year of undergrad where I thought I wanted to study Ancient-Medieval history and then I scrapped by with my worst grade ever in my Greek history class and spent the next three-and-a-half years trying to make up for it and improve my GPA. On the plus side, this book counts towards my Classics Club reading list and I’m slowly chipping away. Finishing this, I’ve now passed the 40 books mark (41/100) and I’m nearing the halfway point. I’m behind schedule, but I threw the schedule out the window ages ago.

Click here to continue reading on my blog The Oddness ofMoving Things.

socrates is honestly so messy

3 ⭐

Si bien la filosofía es una rama interesantísima, es muy común que se convierta en algo obligado en algunas escuelas y termina generando una idea de que es algo aburrido e incomprensible y uno crece con esa expectativa.

Sin embargo este libro le da la vuelta a todo ello y muestra diversas analogías u opiniones de lo que significa el amor.

Cada personaje aporta una reflexión desde distintas aristas y modos de concebirlo que dan ganas de amar y ser amado.