The Speech of Phaedrus

A detailed Summary of The Speech of Phaedrus


In Plato's book, Symposium, The Speech of Phaedrus depicts love as the most wonderful god, making men and even gods weak in their knees. Love makes men and women lose control and do anything for their lover. Gods will bend the rules and lovers will make sacrifices.

These claims listed support Phaedrus' statement, "Therefore I say Love is the most ancient of the gods, the most honored, and the most powerful in helping men gain virtue and blessedness, whether they are alive, or have passed away." (12, 180B)

Phaedrus gives several examples of brave actions preformed by lovers. One is the story of Alcestis and Admetus. Apollo gave Admetus the option of living, if he could only find someone to die in his place. His loving wife Alcestis would be willing to do this (Plato 10, 179B). Admetus' living parents wouldn't even take the fall for him; making it seem like that their son only belonged to them in name. So Alcestis died for him. The gods were so impressed with this action that they granted her life again. Her soul was sent back from the Underworld (11, 179C-D). This suggests that even the gods hold love on a high platform.

Next, Phaedrus tells the story of Orpheus and Eurydice which is a little different. A serpent had killed


The Speech of Phaedrus differs from other speeches by opening the forum. Phaedrus opens up with the overall topic to be discussed about, love. He is more general than the other speeches because he is the first speech. The other speakers have the chance to build on previous speeches given to prove their point. Agathon is the only one to disagree with Phaedrus. Agathon states that Love is the youngest of the gods, always avoiding old age. Phaedrus refers to Love as one of the most ancient gods.

Eurydice so Orpheus pled to the gods for Eurydice's return. They said he could go to the Underworld to retrieve his lover, but as they were walking out, he could not look back to make sure she was following him, and if he did, her soul would be sent back into the Underworld. So Orpheus went to the Underworld and retrieved Eurydice. As they were walking out of the Underworld, his curiosity got the best of him; he turned around to make sure she was there. Her image was there behind him, but her soul faded back into the Underworld. He had broken the rule of the gods (11, 179D). Love had made him become desperate. He had to have her back, he was so anxious to have his love back that he looked back.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Speech Phaedrus, Orpheus Underworld, Apollo Admetus, Isles Blest, Achilles Patroclus, Patroclus Phaedrus, Eurydice Orpheus, Agathon Love, Trojans Achilles, Island Blest, patroclus' death, speech phaedrus, 11 179d, love ancient gods, underworld orpheus, sent underworld, killed patroclus, lover gods, patroclus died, love ancient, soul sent underworld, hector killed patroclus, avenge patroclus' death, gods honored,

Approximate Word count = 802
Approximate Pages = 3 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: English

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