Symposium

by Plato

Overview

Plato’s "Symposium" is a series of speeches on Love given at a party in ancient Greece. They deal with questions of: what Love is; interpersonal relationships through love; what types of love are worthy of praise; the purpose of love; and others. It is the first major philosophical text on love in Western literature. It can be classified as a tragicomedy, using elements of both genres.

Apollodorus tells the story of a drinking party or symposium that occurs long ago. Socrates and Aristodemus go to a party given for Agathon, since Agathon has just won a contest for the performance of his tragedy. The men there talk and drink and then decide that each should give a speech in praise of the god, Love.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9788834180051
Publisher:	E-BOOKARAMA
Publication date:	02/25/2024
Sold by:	StreetLib SRL
Format:	eBook
File size:	1 MB

About the Author

Plato (c. 427–347 b.c.) founded the Academy in Athens, the prototype of all Western universities, and wrote more than twenty philosophical dialogues.

Table of Contents

	Preface	vii
	Introduction	x
	The Symposium	1
	Notes	65
	Select Bibliography	85

Editorial Reviews

"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

From the Publisher

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

FEB/MAR 07 - AudioFile