The Symposium, like the Meno, is a transitional dialogue which takes us from the Socratic Dialogues, with a consistent picture of Socrates as a philosopher who seeks wisdom about virtues from others, to the Middle Dialogues, in which Socrates constructs theories about a broad range of topics.  The dramatic date of the dialogue is early in 416 BC, and the place is the home of Agathon the poet.  Agathon has just won first prize for his tragedy in the Lenaean festival, and he is hosting a celebration.  Socrates is invited, and goes to the trouble to take a bath and put on some sandals for the occasion.  He takes along his friend Aristodemus, who is barefoot and in shabby clothes.  In the walk to Agathon’s house, Socrates becomes absorbed in his own thoughts and ends up standing on a porch near his destination.  After the festivities start, Socrates wanders in, and Agathon invites him to sit on his couch.  The guests recline, in Greek fashion, three to a couch, in a number of couches arranged around a central table.* 

15.1 The Speech Contest

Eryximachus, a physician, asks Agathon if he wants to do some serious drinking at the party.  Agathon says no, and Eryximachus approves.  They will go easy on the wine and instead focus on conversation.  He proposes they all offer a speech in turn in honor of the god of Love, Eros, proceeding from left to right, with Phaedrus starting off.  He praises Love as a great and ancient god, who inspires lovers to do great deeds and avoid shameful acts. 

            Pausanias argues that Eros is associated with the goddess Aphrodite.  But there are two Aphrodites, a common one and a heavenly one.  The quality of love depends on which goddess inspires it.  The Heavenly Aphrodite presides over love between males, and inspires the lovers to improve each other and instill virtue. 

            Next it is Aristophanes’ turn, but he has a case of hiccups and had to defer.  Eryximachus the physician, accordingly, speaks next.   He acknowledges Pausanias’ distinction between two kinds of love, and points out that medicine seeks to bring about an attraction between the elements or humors of the body so as to achieve health.  The good kind of love is a harmony such as found in music between different notes.  Good love is harmonious, while bad love is impulsive and harmful.

            At this point Aristophanes offers his speech.  Once upon a time human beings were created as spherical beings, each with four arms, four legs, and two faces and two sets of genitalia.  Some beings were male, some female, and some both male and female.  They were willful and attempted to usurp divine powers from the gods.  As a punishment, Zeus split them in half.  Henceforth, humans went around seeking their other half.  Love is the desire of lovers to be completed by the other. 

            It is now Agathon’s turn.  We need first to say what Love is, he admonishes, and then discuss his gifts.  Love is the happiest of gods and, in contrast to what Phaedrus says, the youngest.  Love shuns old age and delights to associate with young people.  He has the best character, manifesting justice, moderation, courage, and wisdom.  He is kind and fills us with altruism and mutual affection, replacing hostility with sympathy.