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A review by troystory
Symposium by Plato
5.0
I don't normally read a book's introduction, but the train ride was too short for me to get into the book, and I was curious to see what the translator had to say. This book's introduction was definitely as worth-it as the book itself. I read the entire thing in one sitting, and I think it took me around two or three hours, which is pretty good for myself!
Now, onto the book itself. I first wanted to read Symposium because some classicists on tumblr kept bringing it up as the one book that argued Achilles and Patroclus were lovers, and as a die-hard shipper, I couldn't resist some support for my ship. But when I read the introduction, I found out this was a discussion on love, and not just a Plato's way of saying "They were BOYFRIENDS!". Reading Symposium has opened up a whole new philosophy for me, and that is: what is love? how can we define it, if we can define it at all? what is the difference between romantic and platonic love? It's definitely got me pumped for a (possible) pursuit on the philosophy of love.
Not to mention, the dialogue in this was sometimes hilarious. The great thing about Plato's work is that it manages to imbue each character with a little bit of humanity, whether it be humour or a fondness for drinking, or some other human trait that brings Symposium to life.
What a love I have developed for Symposium!
Now, onto the book itself. I first wanted to read Symposium because some classicists on tumblr kept bringing it up as the one book that argued Achilles and Patroclus were lovers, and as a die-hard shipper, I couldn't resist some support for my ship. But when I read the introduction, I found out this was a discussion on love, and not just a Plato's way of saying "They were BOYFRIENDS!". Reading Symposium has opened up a whole new philosophy for me, and that is: what is love? how can we define it, if we can define it at all? what is the difference between romantic and platonic love? It's definitely got me pumped for a (possible) pursuit on the philosophy of love.
Not to mention, the dialogue in this was sometimes hilarious. The great thing about Plato's work is that it manages to imbue each character with a little bit of humanity, whether it be humour or a fondness for drinking, or some other human trait that brings Symposium to life.
What a love I have developed for Symposium!