Phaedrus — Plato

THE SYMPOSIUM PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE.* Apollodorus, w^^ repeats to his Pausanias. Companion the dialogue which Eryximachus. he had heard from Aristodemus^ Aristophanes. and had already once narrated Agathon. to Glaucon, Socrates. PHiEDRUS. AlCIBIADES. A Troop of Revelers. Scene : — ^The House of Agathon. I BELIEVE that I am prepared with an answer.

For the day before yesterday I was coming from my own home at Phalerum^ to the city, and one of my acquaintance, who had caught a sight of the back of me at a distance, Steph. in merry mood commanded me to halt : Apollo- '^ dorus, he cried, O thou man of Phalerum, halt !

So I did as I was bid ; and then he said, I was looking for you, Apollodorus, only just now, that I might hear about the discourses in praise of love, which were delivered by Socrates, Alcibiades, and others, at Agathon's supper.

Phoenix the son of Philip told another person, who told me of them, and he said that you knew ; but he was himself very indistinct, and I wish > Apollodonis(&-p6no-d6'nis). friend and disciple of Socrates, and present at his death. See Phaedo, 59 and 117. Phaedrus : see the dialogue Phaedrus. Pausanias : see Protagoras, 315 and note 22. Eryximachus : a physician. See Protagoras, 315 and note 18 ; Phaedrus, 268. Aristophanes : comic poet.

See Apology, note 5. Agathon (Sg'a-lhon, 400 B.C.) : an Athenian tragic poet, called the '• fair Agathon " on account of his extreme beauty. See Protagoras, 315. Alcibiades : see Protagoras, note i. • Phalerum (fi-le'rum) : one of the harbors of Athens. 107

I08 PLATO THE TEACHER that you would give me an account of them. Who but you should be the reporter of the words of your friend ? And first tell me, he said, were you present at this meeting? Your informant, Glaucon, I said, must have been very indistinct indeed, if you imagine that the occasion was recent, or that I could have been present. Why, yes, he replied, that was my impression. But how is that possible? I said.

For Agathon has not been in Athens for many years (are you aware of that?), and my acquaintance with Socrates, of whose every action and word I now make a daily study, is not as yet of three years* standing. I used to be running about the world, thinking that I was doing something, and would have done anything rather than be a philosopher : I was almost as miserable as you are now.

Well, he said, cease from jesting, and tell me when the meeting occurred. In our boyhood, I replied, when Agathon won the prize with his first tragedy,^ on the day after that on which he and his chorus offered the sacrifice of victory. That is a long while ago, he said ; and who told you^-did Socrates ?

No indeed, I replied, but the same person who told Phoenix ; he was a little fellow, who never wore any shoes, Aristodemus, of the deme of Cydathenaeum.* He had been at this feast ; and I think that there was no one in those days who was a more devoted admirer of Socrates. Moreover, I asked Socrates about the truth of some parts of his narrative, and he confirmed them.

Then, said Glaucon, let us have the tale over again ; is not the road to Athens made for conversation ? And so we walked, and talked of the discourses on love ; and therefore, as I said at first, I am prepared with an answer, and will have another rehearsal, if you like.

For I love to speak or to hear others speak of philosophy ; there is > The Greek drama had its origin in one of the chief religious festivals of the people— the Dionysia (di'o-ny'sf-a). It was originally a chorus, sung in honor of the god Dionysus (dl'o-ny'sus). Later, actors were introduced, but the chorus was retained. The drama became an important part of the festival. Three days were given to the public presentation of new dramas.

The State offered prizes to the contesting authors. The first prize was a crown, publicly presented. This was the highest distinction that could be conferred on a dramatic author at .Athens. * Aristodcmus (ii-ris'to-dtVmus). Cydathenaeum (sid-ath-e-ne'um).

THE SYMPOSIUM IO9 the greatest pleasure in that, to say nothing of the profit. But when I hear any other discourses, especially those of you rich men and traders, they are irksome to me ; and I pity you who are my companions, because you always think that you are hard at work when really you are idling. And I dare say that you pity me in return, whom you regard as an. unfortunate wight, which I perhaps am.

But I certainly know of you what you only think of me — there is the difference.

Companion, I see, Apollodorus, that you are just the same, — always speaking evil of yourself, and of others ; and I do believe that you pity all mankind, beginning with yourself and including everybody else with the exception of Socrates, true in this to your old name, which, however deserved, I know not how you acquired, of Apollodorus the madman ; for your humor is always to be out of humor with yourself and with everybody except Socrates.

Apollodorus. Yes, friend, and I am proved to be mad, and out of my wits, because I have these notions of myself and you ; no other evidence is required. Com, I have no wish to dispute about that, Apollodorus ; but let me renew my request that you would repeat the tale of love. Apoll, Well, the tale of love was on this wise: But perhaps I had better begin at the beginning, and endeavor ^^ to repeat to you the words as Aristodemus gave them.

He said that he met Socrates fresh from the bath and sandaled ; and as the sight of the sandals was unusual, he asked him whither he was going that he was so fine. To a banquet at Agathon*s, he replied, whom I refused yesterday, fearing the crowd that there would be at his sacrifice, but promising that I would come to-day instead ; and I have put on my finery because he is a fine creature. What say you to going with me unbidden ?

Yes, I replied, I will go with you, if you like. Follow then, he said, and let us demolish the proverb that — ** To the feasts of lesser men the good unbidden go ; " instead of which our proverb will run that — *' To the feasts of the good unbidden go the good ;" and this alteration may be supported by the authority of Homer, who not only demolishes but literally outrages this