Aristophanes' Theory of Love in the Symposium

Aristophanes' Theory of Love in the

Symposium

2. Aristophanes' Theory of love: from Plato's Symposium The love as discussed by the

characters in the Symposium is homosexual love. Some assumed that homosexuality alone

is capable of satisfying “a man’s highest and noblest aspirations”. Whereas heterosexual

love is placed at an inferior level, being described as only existing for carnal reasons; its

ultimate purpose being procreation. There are differing views in these dialogues,

Aristophanes contradicts his peers by treating heterosexuality at the same level as

homosexuality, arguing that both are predestined. Aristophanes considered himself as the

comic poet and he began his discourse as such. Yet as the speech continued, he professed

to open another vein of discourse; he had a mind to praise Love in another way, unlike

that of either Pausanias or Eryximachus. “Mankind”, he said, “judging by their neglect of

him, have never at all understood the power of Love”. He argued that if they had

understood him they would have built noble temples and altars, and offered solemn

sacrifices in his honor. He sought to describe his power and wanted to teach the rest of the

world what he was teaching at that moment. Aristophanes spoke first of the nature of man

and what had become of it. He said that human nature had changed: The sexes were

originally three in number; there was man, woman, and the union of the two. At one time

there was a distinct kind, with a bodily shape and a name of its own, constituted by the

union of the male and the female: but now only the word 'androgynous' remains, and that

as a term of reproach. Aristophanes proceeded by telling an anecdote about the terrible

might and strength of mankind and ...

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... wisdom”, never allowing himself to

divert from the real pursuit of beauty: Since beauty is the ultimate objective of Love.

Aristophanes and his comical tale of the way mankind came about needing a partner

greatly opposed that of Socrates. Aristophanes put homosexuality and heterosexuality at

the same level, believing that both were predestined. He recognized that love was a need;

a longing to regain a lost happiness. Socrates, on the other hand, concluded that

heterosexual and homosexual Love were not at all at the same level. Arguing that physical

desire was inferior to the “love of wisdom” which is more widespread in homosexuality,

adding that women are “incapable of creative activity above the physical level.” Ultimately

what transpires from his speech is that he has a meaning of Love quite different from that

which the common man would attach to it.