Aristophanes Theory Of Love In The Symposium

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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 how “the thoughts of their hearts were so great
that they made an attack upon the gods”, leaving the celestial councils to
decide whether or not to kill them. Zeus found a solution, and decided to cut
them in two so as to divide their strength. As he cut them one after another,
he bade Apollo give the face and the half of the neck a turn in order that man
might contemplate the section of himself: he would thus learn a lesson of
humility. He made all the forms complete except in the region of the belly and
navel, as a memorial of the primeval state.
Aristophanes continued his discourse in a vein of seriousness and
brought forth an important truth. He related the division the two parts of man,
each desiring his other half and dying from hunger and self-ne...

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