Symposium

What if the secret to love's power lay hidden in a single night of storytelling? Symposium is Plato's sparkling masterpiece of philosophy and drama. On the morning after a victory banquet, Aristophanes, Agathon, Phaedrus, Diotima-through-Socrates, and other brilliant Athenians agree to praise Eros instead of drinking to excess. Their speeches range from rib-tickling myth to cosmic revelation, culminating in Socrates' mysterious lesson from the seer Diotima: love is the soul's ladder from bodily longing to the contemplation of absolute Beauty. This contemporary edition breathes fresh clarity into Plato's Greek while preserving his humor and passion, making the dialogue vivid for modern readers who seek both intellectual rigor and literary delight. What You'll Discover in This Modern Translation: A Lively Banquet of Voices - From Aristophanes' twin-soul myth to Alcibiades' scandalous toast, every speech restored in crisp, engaging prose. Philosophy Woven with Storytelling - Experience ideas through character, humor, and dramatic tension, not dry abstraction. The Ladder of Love Explained - Follow Socrates step by step from physical desire to the vision of eternal Forms. Essential Context & Notes - Accessible introductions and footnotes illuminate historical setting, Greek terms, and key concepts. Whether you're exploring Plato for the first time or returning to an old favorite, this edition of Symposium offers a feast for mind and heart alike.