He describes vile ways as being the common, vulgar lover who loves the body, an unstable thing, over the soul. If one gives themselves to a vile man in a vile way, it is disgraceful behavior, but it is honorable if one honorably accepts a right man. Ultimately, Pausanias thinks that actions surrounding love depend on behaviors. While it is strongly encouraged that a boy accept the advances of an older man, the boy is teased so and fathers hire attendants to prevent contact between boys and their suitors, presenting the appearance of shame to an outsider. However, customs about approaching Love are complex in Athens. However, if a person attempting to secure a public post were to perform shameful acts (that a lover would be willing to perform as well), he would be humiliated. It is considered honorable to declare your love, regardless of the result. He goes on to claim that the freedom given to lovers is expansive. These three activities stop tyrannies.Ĭustoms in Athens regarding Love are complex and superior to others. In the Persian empire, love, sport, and philosophy are condemned so that the ruled do not form other ambitions or bonds amongst themselves. By contrasting these in Athens and the Persian empire, he explains that condemnation of Love reveals lust for power in rulers and cowardice of the population. Relationships and customs therefore are complex. Phaedrus then condemns affairs with young boys, a common practice, due to those lovers who use these relationships for vulgar purposes, giving all others a bad reputation. It is among males since they find pleasure in what is stronger and more intelligent. Heavenly Love is purely between males, more preoccupied by the mind and soul. All he cares about is performing the sexual act and happens more commonly between the female and male, a reflection of Pandemos’ parentage.

They are both to be praised, as all gods and actions are, but praise depends on how the actions are performed the praise and nobility of Love depends on the sentiments he produces in us.Ĭommon Love strikes when he gets the chance, felt by the vulgar, more attached to the body than the soul. One is Urania, known as Heavenly Aphrodite, and the younger is Pandemos, known as Common Aphrodite, so accordingly there exists Heavenly Love and Common Love.

Love and Aphrodite are inseparable and Aphrodite is actually two goddesses, for which reason there are two kinds of Love.

However, he claims there are two kinds of Love, for which reason he describes them both before giving praise to the one he thinks is worthy. Pausanias began by reminding the gathering that their purpose was to give speeches praising Love. Phaedrus’ speech was followed by several others which Aristodemus remembered poorly, so Apollodorus continued on to tell of Pausanias’ speech.

Platos the symposium