The symposium is a philosophical text by plato dated c. Socrates and aristodemus will attend a banquet at agathon, with aristophanes, appolodore, pausanias and. The symposium is a deft interweaving of different viewpoints and ideas about the nature of love as a response to beauty, a cosmic force, a motive for social action and as a means of ethical education. Firstly phaedrus says at the very start of his speech, love is a great god, plato, 178b which shows he. Love is examined in a sequence of speeches by men attending a symposium, or drinking party.
Symposium gives a picture of the sparkling society that was athens at the height of her empire. Platos symposium is one of the best loved classics from the ancient world, a work of consummate beauty as both philosophy and as literature, most appropriate since the topic of this dialogue is the. Allen supplements his translation with a commentary that not only enriches our understanding of platos philosophy and the world of greek antiquity but also provides insights into presentday philosophical concerns. Once again, the structure of the speech begins with telling of the qualities of love before talking of his works. This study guide consists of approximately 29 pages of chapter summaries, quotes, character analysis, themes, and more everything you need to sharpen your knowledge of symposium. I tried to listen to this recording a month ago when we were going over the republic. Cancel online anytime and keep all your audiobooks. In a way, its a romantic discussion, filled with zeal towards the beauty, the passion for philosophy as a search for truth. M4b compatible with most audio book players and itunes.
This is the discourse between socrates and diotima from plato s symposium. Analysis of platos relation to love in symposium the symposium shows different popular views about love during platos time. For my money a good translation, very readable and entertaining and good forward explaining the work, which i read. Aug 17, 2012 the symposium is about the origin, purpose and nature of love. The marriage between character and thought bursts forth as the guests gather at agathons house to celebrate the success of his first tragedy. In symposium, a group of athenian aristocrats attend a party held by agathon to celebrate his victory in the drama festival of the dionysia. They talk about love until the drunken alcibiades bursts in, and decides to talk about socrates instead.
The republic, the apology, crito, and symposium audiobook cover. The marriage between character and thought bursts forth as the guests gather at agathons house to celebrate the success. On reading symposium for the first time, i thought plato was not a feminist. Although the historical socrates was a strong influence on plato, the character by that name that appears in many of his dialogues is a product of plato s fertile imagination. The dramatic nature of platos dialogues is delightfully evident in the symposium. The symposium is a deft interweaving of different viewpoints and ideas about the nature of love as a response to beauty, a cosmic force or a path to goodness. Symposium the ladder of love by allan bloom on plato s symposium by seth benardete includes bibliographical references counter plato, allan bloom wrote, is the most erotic of philosophers, and his symposium is one of the greatest works on the nature of love ever written.
Feb 09, 20 on reading symposium for the first time, i thought plato was not a feminist. In his celebrated masterpiece, symposium, plato imagines a highsociety dinnerparty in athens in 416 bc. Purchase a copy of this text not necessarily the same edition from. Agora publications offers dramatic performances of the dialogues of plato and david hume to help recapture this valuable socratic tradition. So with that in mind, the symposium as translated here is very readable and has some interesting ideas to ponder. Symposium annotated by plato plato, paperback barnes. Introduction to platos symposium the symposium tells the story of a drinking party in which the guests agree to put aside their desire for wine, women and music and deliver speeches in honor of eros, a word often translated as love but more aptly described as sexual desire or passionate love. Everyday low prices and free delivery on eligible orders. The party takes place at the house of the tragedian agathon in athens. Many of his works can also be downloaded from online resources.
It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of. For a brief introduction to plato check out plato in 90 minutes. Firstly phaedrus says at the very start of his speech, love is a great god, plato, 178b which shows he thinks love to be male and throughout his speech he uses the pronoun he for love which happens in almost each speech. Buy the symposium penguin great ideas new ed by plato isbn.
The symposium by plato full audio book ancient greek philosophy subscribe to greatest audio books. The symposium by plato full audio book ancient greek. The discussion culminates in a radical challenge to conventional views by plato s mentor, socrates, who advocates transcendence through spiritual love. The annenberg cpbproject provided support for entering this text. The guestsincluding the comic poet aristophanes and platos mentor socrateseach deliver a. In 1845, soren kierkegaard recreated the socratic drinking party symposium, at which five aesthetes offer their modern philosophies of love. In symposium plato is, as always, an idealist, and that is saying that debate in. Symposium is not my favorite dialog to read, but it is my favorite to listen to. On one level the book deals with the genealogy, nature and purpose of love, on another level the book deals with the topic of knowledge, specifically how does one know what one knows. Socrates and diotima from platos symposium youtube. The guestsincluding the comic poet aristophanes and plato s mentor socrateseach deliver a short speech in praise of love.
Platos feministic approach in symposium auws interpreting. This dialogue is unlike the others of plato, in as much as, socrates does not question the others in the dialectical fashion, except briefly. This is the best audio book of platos republic and its free. With wit and insight, they all present their ideas about love from erixymachus scientific naturalism to aristophanes comic fantasy. This classic discussion on love is presented in its. Nov 14, 2012 the symposium by plato full audio book ancient greek philosophy subscribe to greatest audio books. Symposium plato language watch edit active discussions.
This audiobook gave me that feeling like i wanted to cry, not because i was sad, but because i was so moved. The symposium is about the origin, purpose and nature of love. Socrates retells a speech he heard from diotima, a woman he describes as wise, but who was apparently a fictitious character. Start a free 30day trial today and get your first audiobook.
The dramatic nature of platos dialogues is delightfully evident in symposium. It is a discussion on the nature of love, taking the form of a group of speeches, both satirical. Introduction to platos symposium the symposium tells the story of a drinking party in which the guests agree to put aside their desire for wine, women and music and deliver speeches in honor of eros, a. Symposium is central in platos philosophy, since it talks about love and ideas. Instead the various speakers take turns, as it were, each offering what he knows from his own perspective and then socrates presents a view that can place the others within a grander. Plato s symposium this dialogue is unlike the others of plato, in as much as, socrates does not question the others in the dialectical fashion, except briefly.
Allen supplements his translation with a commentary that not only enriches our. Following the argumentation in the book, to search for an answer for what eros is one should already be possessed with it. Symposium is one of the major works of plato, and one of the works that laid a foundation for the entire history of western thought. The symposium by plato meet your next favorite book. Middle dialogues symposium, english translation by benjamin jowett public domain audiobook at librivox bbc in our time. Allens superb new translation of platossymposiumbrings this classic text to life for modern readers. The dramatic nature of plato s dialogues is delightfully evident in symposium. In the symposium, plato recounts a drinking party following an evening meal, where the guests include the poet aristophanes, the drunken alcibiades, and, of course, the wise socrates. The marriage between character and thought bursts forth as the guests gather at agathons house to.
Listen to platos symposium by plato available from rakuten kobo. Each man must deliver a speech in praise of love eros. Symposium, plato, a full cast, david shaw parker, nonfictionlectures, nonfiction, naxos audiobooks, 2. This is the talk page for discussing improvements to the symposium plato article. Sep 07, 2016 the dramatic nature of plato s dialogues is delightfully evident in symposium. It depicts a friendly contest of extemporaneous speeches given by a group of notable men attending a banquet. After trial, get 1 audiobook and 2 audible originals each month. It is one of the most influential works of philosophy and political theory, and arguably platos best known work.
Look for the on plato s symposium translation for a more literal version, available in a dialogues of plato paperback. Diotima also questions socrates, who used to think that love was beautiful and good. The discussion culminates in a radical challenge to conventional views by platos mentor, socrates, who advocates transcendence through spiritual love. As in 33 minutes into the 2nd book in the audio version, i was 12 way through the 3rd book. Christopher gills translation retains all the drama and humour of the greek, bringing the historical figures to life. Googles cache is the snapshot that we took of the page as we crawled the web. Socrates, xenophon, and plato get any book for free on.
This audiobook contains platos most notable books, narrated brilliantly by kevin kollins. He wrote approximately twodozen dialogues that explore core topics that are essential to all human beings. My first foray into plato and a good place to start an easy going quick read book. Socrates didnt believe in writing words down lucky for us plato did. The guests decide not to get drunk, but drinking a little and discuss about love. In symposium, a group of athenian aristocrats attend a party held by. Platos symposium audiobook by plato 9781887250290 rakuten.
A model of the kind of text one needs for lecture courses. Symposium by plato diotima questions socrates and the. For my money a good translation, very readable and entertaining and good forward explaining the work, which i read afterwards. The revelers give their views on the timeless topics of love and desire, all the while addressing many of the major themes of platonic philosophy.
Griffiths translation is well chosenit is swift an unlabored, perfect for a dramatic presentation. Socrates and aristodemus go to a party given for agathon, since agathon has just won a contest for. The works contained in this audiobook include the republic, the apology, crito, and symposium. The symposium is a collection of dinner conversations in the subject of love and whilst very of its time, still relevant today. Free kindle book and epub digitized and proofread by project gutenberg. If youre into this feeling, you should definitely listen carefully to this book. This is the best audio book of platos republic and its. Within the dialogue, the speakers told of the characteristics of the gods related to love as a definition of what love is. Hij hoorde het verhaal over het symposium van aristodemus en vertelt het verder aan een. Enjoy these four amazing philosophical works that have stood the test of time.
On one level the book deals with the genealogy, nature and purpose of love, on another level the book. Platos retelling of the discourses between socrates and his friends on such subjects as love and desire, truth and illusion, spiritual transcendence and the qualities of a good ruler, profoundly. Apollodorus tells the story of a drinking party or symposium that occurs long ago. The historical socrates sought to bring philosophy down from the heavens to thrive in the streets of the agora the marketplace. Plato intentionally portrays some as ignorant and others as valid thoughts on the matter of love.
And for a free download of audio notes on socrates check out zaadz notes. Socrates and aristodemus will attend a banquet at agathon, with aristophanes, appolodore, pausanias and eryximachus. Plato intentionally portrays some as ignorant and others as valid thoughts on. Symposium by plato, 9780192834270, available at book depository with free delivery worldwide.
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