Abstract:

This talk examines the relationship between philosophical and literary aspects of the Symposium, focusing on the encounter between Socrates and Aristodemos in the opening scenes. Because of his romantic interest in Agathon, Socrates tries to dissuade his friend from attending the party by quoting a maxim that prohibits people from attending the feasts of their superiors without an invitation. But he obscures the insulting message in order to enable Aristodemos to imagine that he does want him to come, even though it would be wrong to do so. Aristodemos ignores the insult and pushes himself into the party, providing the inspiration for Socrates’ account of Penia’s behavior at the party celebrating the birth of Eros. After discussing the social crisis Aristodemos nearly causes, I explore the parallels Socrates=Eros and Aristodemos=Poverty.