Bibliograph

The symposium, Plato ; translated with an introduction and notes by Christopher Gill

Type

Label

The symposium, Plato ; translated with an introduction and notes by Christopher Gill

Language

eng

Bibliography note

Includes bibliographical references (pages 85-[90])

Index

no index present

Literary Form

non fiction

Main title

The symposium

Nature of contents

bibliography

Oclc number

42416425

Responsibility statement

Plato ; translated with an introduction and notes by Christopher Gill

Review

"Among the most powerful and moving of Plato's dialogues, the Symposium is one of the greatest literary works on the nature of love in Western thought." "During a lively dinner party, a series of speakers offer their views on eros or desire. They see love as a response to beauty, a cosmic force, a motive for social action and a means of ethical education. Through jokes and flirtation they reveal their attitudes to love and personal relationships. Aristophanes, the comic poet, tells a haunting myth about our long-lost unity as couples; since then, each of us has been looking for our 'other half'. Socrates radically rethinks the nature of love, and delivers a massive challenge to ancient - and modern - romanticism. Finally, the glamorous Alcibiades appears, drunk and supported by a courtesan, to tell us why he tried to seduce Socrates - and why he failed." "Full of drama, humour and sharply drawn characters, the Symposium offers profound insights into gender roles, sex in society and the value of sublimating our basic instincts."-- Back cover

Series statement

Penguin classics

Classification

Contributor