The Symposium

Page 284.  The general point made by Plato in his work The Symposium is that Diotima is trying to explain to him what love truly is; the everlasting possession of the beautiful in its most divine form.  More specifically, Plato states that Diotima argues that love is very vulnerable but also is strong and can conquer all.  She writes, “[Love] has no shoes, nor a house to dwell in; on the bare earth exposed he lies under the open heaven…[love is also] bold, enterprising, strong, a mighty hunter” (p. 285).  In this passage, Diotima is suggesting that love is many things and it comes in many forms, but anyone can possess it if they truly seek it.  In conclusion, it is Plato’s and Diotima’s belief that love has its ups and downs, but when “learned to see the beautiful in due order and succession, [you can] perceive a nature of wondrous beauty” (p. 289).

            In my view, Diotima and Plato are right because love is a very complicated thing.  No one can really explain it, but everyone knows that even though it is difficult, it’s worth it.  For example, my parents have had some rough times in the past, but they’ve worked through their trials because they know it is worth the struggle to get through those hard times and stay together because the good far out-weighs the bad.  Although Plato and Diotima might object that not all men can be able to love and see the beauty in things, I maintain that if someone is willing to work hard enough to look for the good and the beautiful in every person, in every situation, they will be able to find love and beauty wherever they look.  Therefore, I conclude that even though love is a tricky thing, it is something that can be fully understood once you find the right person and maintain a good attitude about every person and situation.