In this first of three sessions in our seminar, we will be focusing upon the narrative framing of Plato's Symposium and the first two speeches about Love, which are given by Phaedrus and Pausanius

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

• The complex narrative structure of the work
• Why the symposium attendants decide to drink less and give speeches about love
• Ancient Greek attitudes about male-male relationships and attraction
• The key themes and arguments from Phaedrus' speech
• Why Pausanius' speech represents an advance beyond Phaedrus'
• The key themes and arguments from Pausanius' speech
  
  

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.