Symposium (Oxford World's Classics)

The introduction and notes are the best. Robin Waterfowld is a master of clarity and of setting the appropriate context.

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The Symposium is what it is: a classic of western culture. So, when one offers a review, it's not about the text itself (I think) but for the translation, presentation and notes. So: Wakefield's translation is the smoothest I've read of this great text. His modern English makes the homoerotic context of the dialogue clear, for one thing. I've taught this text to sleepy undergrads who were clueless about the terms "lover" and "beloved" in the speeches, assuming they were about a boy and a girl. But the notes are where Wakefield really shines. Wakefield gives not only a readable account of each of the speeches, a special discussion of love in Greek thought, and a literary analysis, but also a useful set of notes at the end. Over all, this is so much better than the tired British translations we used to read in college back in the old days.

Classic Novel. My professor pointed out Plato's skill of creating different voices for each character...something not many authors can do. In fact, it is said he was able to capture the communicative style of each individuals real persona.

Simple book.

Plato's wit places him upon the pinnacle of authors in the entirety of human history. Love is lauded, rather than an emotion engendered by lust, greed, or power, as a proliferation of virtue that transcends individual humanity in its desire to procreate. Personally, I believe that this is yet another of Plato's writing that gives credence to the possibility that Socrates was a literary device designed by Plato to communicate his ideal of virtue, which makes this book all the more interesting. Oxford world classics provides superlative translations with necessary notes.

The concept of love,in the Ancient Greek context, is examined from the philosopher Socrates' perspective. An interesting series of dialogues which is worth reading time and again to understand the nuances. Recommend to all who wish to expand their perspective on what love is,means and its nature in life.

A fascinating insight on several ancient views of love, including Aristotle's in-depth analysis of what love's properties are and what it is about. The preface contains very useful contextual information while relating it to different parts of Symposium. Plato's Symposium itself reads as a story, making it a read easier than it might be otherwise. All in all, the information is well thought out and dictated to the reader in a very efficient way. As someone who enjoys casual philosophy, I recommend it to anyone else who does.