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Symposium

By Plato
Series: Oxford World's Classics
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Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Plato's Symposium depicts a lively Athenian dinner party in 416 BC where illustrious guests, including Socrates and Aristophanes, deliver speeches celebrating love. The dialogue culminates with Socrates sharing the teachings of Diotima on love as a pursuit of goodness. The arrival of the inebriated Alcibiades adds dramatic flair, offering insight into Socrates' complex character. This enduring work combines wit, philosophical depth, and vivid storytelling.
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Format: Paperback / softback

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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

Ideal for readers interested in classical philosophy, ancient Greek culture, and foundational texts on love and ethics. Suitable for students, scholars, and anyone seeking an accessible yet scholarly translation with explanatory notes.

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In his celebrated masterpiece, Symposium, Plato imagines a high-society dinner-party in Athens in 416 BC. The guests--including the comic poet Aristophanes and Plato's mentor Socrates--each deliver a short speech in praise of love.

A new translation of Plato's masterpiece, Symposium, which conveys the power, humor, and pathos of Plato's creation.

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

In his celebrated masterpiece, Symposium, Plato imagines a high-society dinner-party in Athens in 416 BC at which the guests—including the comic poet Aristophanes and, of course, Plato's mentor Socrates—each deliver a short speech in praise of love. The sequence of dazzling speeches culminates in Socrates' famous account of the views of Diotima, a prophetess who taught him that love is our means of trying to attain goodness.

And then into the party bursts the drunken Alcibiades, the most popular and notorious Athenian of the time, who insists on praising Socrates himself rather than love, and gives us a brilliant sketch of this enigmatic character.

The power, humour, and pathos of Plato's creation engages the reader on every page. This new translation is complemented by full explanatory notes and an illuminating introduction.

ABOUT THE SERIES: For over 100 years, Oxford World's Classics has made available the widest range of literature from around the globe. Each affordable volume reflects Oxford's commitment to scholarship, providing the most accurate text plus a wealth of other valuable features, including expert introductions by leading authorities, helpful notes to clarify the text, up-to-date bibliographies for further study, and much more.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Critics praise this edition's lucid introduction and the engaging nuances highlighted by Waterfield. Sophia Sackville-West of the London Evening Standard notes that Plato's Symposium is not only profound but also enjoyable, bringing out its artistic subtleties with clarity.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780199540198

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 11 September 2008

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Oxford University Press

Contributors:

  • Translated by Robin Waterfield

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 10.0mm

Width: 129.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 125g

Pages: 160

Collections

Non-Fiction Philosophy & Psychology Philosophy & Stoicism Plato Series: Oxford World's Classics

About the Author

Robin Waterfield is a well-known writer, translator, and editor, much praised for his translations of Plato which include Philebus (1982), Theaetus (1987), Early Socratic Dialogues (1987), and the Republic (1993). He currently works as a consultant editor for Collins-Harvill.

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