Symposium

Symposium

by Plato

Narrated by Liam Johnson

Unabridged — 2 hours, 56 minutes

Symposium

Symposium

by Plato

Narrated by Liam Johnson

Unabridged — 2 hours, 56 minutes

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Overview

Symposium is a philosophical text written by the ancient Greek philosopher Plato, believed to have been composed in the late 4th century BCE. The book is a dialogue between a group of distinguished Athenians, who have gathered together to discuss the nature of love and beauty.

The dialogue takes place during a symposium, or dinner party, hosted by the tragedian Agathon. The guests, including Socrates, Aristophanes, and Alcibiades, take turns giving speeches in praise of love, each offering their own unique perspective on the subject.

Throughout the text, Plato explores the nature of love and its role in human life, examining the ways in which it can inspire us to reach for greater heights of knowledge and understanding, while also causing us great pain and suffering. The speeches given by the various characters in the text are rich with symbolism and metaphor, and offer a wide range of interpretations and insights into the nature of love.

At its core, Symposium is a meditation on the human condition, and the ways in which we grapple with our own mortality and the limitations of our existence. Through its exploration of love and beauty, the book offers a profound reflection on the nature of human experience, and the search for meaning and purpose in our lives.


Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A brilliant translation that gives new life to a classic. The introduction alone is worth the price of the text. Waterfield brings grace and style to the Symposium, brushing away the dust that pollutes the inferior, dead translations of the past."—William McTaggart, Westminster College

"The translation is quite good, remaining faithful to the original while flowing smoothly for the modern reader."—Ancient Philosophy

"Waterfield's translation is scholarly, yet in touch with the ZEITGEIST. More accessible than its predecessors, students will benefit from the refreshingly new tone of the introduction and translation. The notes and the index of names also add a fresh level of usefulness and a measure of charm."—Elf S. Raymond, Sarah Lawrence College

"Great. Superb notes. Informative but not pedantic."—Professor John R. Lenz, Drew University

"[The] introductory material is lucid and well-chosen."—Bryn Mawr Classical Review

"I like full Intro., marginal ref. numbers, excellent notes, size, and comfortable binding."—Madonna R. Adams, Pace University

"Waterfield's editions in the World's Classics series are superlative. Lucidly translated, his notes of explanation are, additionally, useful both to novice and to scholar."—Verna V. Gehring, Hood College

FEB/MAR 07 - AudioFile

Plato's SYMPOSIUM is often assigned, but is it actually read? As a written text, it's a challenging work. Listening is a much more accessible way to understand this classical work, as well as the rhetorical strategies of its speeches. The ensemble cast is well matched to recreating the famous dialogue and speeches. David Shaw-Parker is a wily and sophisticated Socrates. As the first speaker on the topic of Eros, Hayward Morse is a gentle and thoughtful Phaedrus. Tim Bentinck makes a lively but still articulate entrance for the drunken Alcibiades. Susan Sheridan is a stately Diotima. The recording is supported by notes containing background information on the text and Athenian society. R.F. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID: 2940178139431
Publisher: Stream Readers
Publication date: 02/24/2023
Edition description: Unabridged
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