In this second of three sessions in our seminar, we will be focusing upon the middle three speeches about love, given by Eryximachus, Aristophanes, and Agathon

I will be presenting the key ideas and development from this section of the work during the session. These include:

• The comic reason why Aristophanes and Eryximachus change the order
• How Eryximachus appropriates and reinterprets good and bad love
• The key themes, style, and arguments in Eryximachus' speech
• The key themes, style, and arguments in Aristophanes' speech
• How and why people often confuse Aristophanes' mythic comic tale for Plato's position
• The key themes, style, and arguments in Agathon's speech
• Socrates' cross-examination of Agathon's claims
  
  
  

You do not have to have read the text previously, though of course, that may be helpful for understanding some of the key ideas that are worked out in them.

We will have plenty of time for Q&A and discussion during this session. You should feel free to ask questions at any point during the seminar, and you can use your microphone or the chat to do so.