CLS 276 Feb. 20 Plato's Symposium

The next few classes we will be reading texts from the ancient genre of philosophy. Ancient philosophical writings, like ancient history, are much different from what we think of as philosophy today. Plato is very influential on Cicero and many others who wrote on philosophy in the ancient world, and Plato wrote dialogues that consist of much fiction and story telling in the guise of factual records. We can sometimes prove that certain events could not have happened as he describes them, and so it is often thought that he made up the stories as a medium for relating his ideas. Sometimes they may be based on real events as with Plato's Apology which is based on Socrates' real defense speech; sometimes they may be total inventions that are simply "possible events" that never actually happened. It is often thought that his earlier writings are closer to what Socrates really thought, and that he later developed his theory of forms which arises in the middle dialogues and is perfected in his last dialogues. In other words, his presentation of Socrates in the middle and especially late dialogues is thought to be heavily influenced by his own thoughts and not historically accurate. It might amuse you to know that there are stories which may or may not be true that Plato was a failed tragic playwright and that he kept a copy of Aristophanes' (the most famous Athenian comedic playwright) complete works with him wherever he went.
Also you should know that Aristophanes, the comic playwright and character in the Symposium, wrote a play called the Clouds which famously criticized Socrates. Whether or not there is truth in the stories about Plato's dramatic obsessions, Plato shows a keen interest in poetry of all kinds, though he often accuses its fictions of leading people away from the truth. Is this fair criticism? Consider ways in which Plato's dialogues resemble plays and other forms of poetry and myth. Why did he write this way?

Some more comments on Friday's reading. This symposium or drinking party is a narrative opportunity for Plato to explore an important theme, Love. At symposia in the Greek world, people would often pass the cup, drink lots of wine, and take turns telling stories or reciting poems. Here they decide not to drink heavily and instead of poems or baudy stories, they share speeches about love. This will be somewhat different than most of what we have read because we are dealing with what will become a new genre, the philosophical dialogue which Plato invented. Still, you will see some stylistic similarities to stories about conversations and debates in Herodotus and Xenophon.

As you take notes, make sure you record the basic gist of each
person's speech, and, of course, pay close attention to Socrates'
speech in which he retells what a lady named Diotima once told him
(Plato is telling a story supposedly told by Apollodorus who heard
from Aristodemus who heard from Socrates who heard from Diotima!!!!).
The various views expressed on love here are very important for
philosophy, religion, and literature. Try to think of comparable
views of love from later literature (including philosophical,
mystical, and religious texts). Also consider if any of these views
of love has occurred in our earlier readings. Finally, what is the
literary point of Alcibiades' appearance? Why doesn't Plato just tell
the story of Diotima? What is the point of all the other characters
and stories in the frame narrative? Where have we seen this kind of
story inside a story inside a story (i.e. multi-level frame
narratives)?