2023

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July

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August

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Week 4: Agathon’s speech and Socrates’ reply

Agathon’s speech and Socrates’ exchange with Agathon (194a – 201c)

What do you think of Agathon’s observation that “all the previous speakers weren’t really praising the god; they were congratulating the human race on how much they thrive on goods the god contrives”?

Is Agathon’s description of Love consistent? What point is he trying to make?

Think through Socrates’ exchange with Agathon. What point is Socrates making? Are you persuaded? Does their initial exchange (175c – 175e) add anything to our understanding here?

What connection does Aristophanes see between Love and Beauty?