Theo’s Philosophy – more Plato

Another work which I find enjoyable by Plato, is Symposium, where Socrates is invited to a night of drinking with the leading minds of Athens. Literary devices are used well in this short work such as Plato’s use of stories told within stories (the story of the party was told second hand by a follower of Socrates who had been told about it second hand from someone else). The party decides to amuse themselves by praising love which gives Plato the opportunity to make his characters give pretty speeches or alternatively to make a complete ass out of themselves. One of Socrates’ previous lovers drops in and causes some trouble. The star of the show remains of course Socrates whose eccentricities, arrogance and heroic virtues are on full display as well as his philosophical skill as he gives the final word (or so he thinks) on Love at the climax of the drinking party.

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