Symposium Phaedrus Speech Analysis

Plato’s Symposium consists of a series of speakers who speaks about Love. Each one of the speakers has their own views when it comes to the topic of love. The speakers dealt with many questions relating to the topic. For example, they talked about what love was. They also talked about the purpose and relationship through love. Lastly, if Love was worth praising? The two speeches that got my attention were the ones given by Phaedrus and Eryximachus.
Phaedrus’ speech mainly focuses on the self-sacrifice and the beauty that comes with Love. Phaedrus comprehensively explains Love by illustrating self-sacrificial acts through stories. One story that Phaedrus illustrates is that of Alcestis and Achilles. Alcestis was the only person who was willing to die in place for her husband. The gods saw what she did and they believed that she was a very noble person. So, in return they sent her back to the world of the living. This story demonstrates what one is willing to do for their beloved. Thus, showing that the idea of love can lead to many virtuous actions. Phaedrus explains that it is beautiful to give up your own life for your beloved. Phaedrus goal was to make sure that everyone else understood that the goodness of love came from “beautiful deeds.” love give us the greatest guidance.
Since Eryximachus is a doctor he included the science of medicine throughout his speech. He states that humans weren’t the only things in the universe that feels love. There was a lesson in his medicinal field that showed that the animal kingdom and the world of plants are also able to feel love, as well. Eryximachus states that in order to have love, science must be used to create harmony inside the human body. Eryximachus does, however, agreed with what Pausanias said. Stating that Heavenly love, must be encourage but only for the good people who feel love and by those who want to make love