Symposium Chapter Summary & Analysis - Part 2, line 178a to 183d Summary

Part 2, line 178a to 183d Summary

Phaedrus gives a speech about the power of love and what love does to the lover and the beloved, in this case both male. Generally, the old man, the lover, seeks the younger man, the beloved. When they go into a battle together, the lover would never let himself be disgraced in front of the beloved. They both tend to fight ferociously and to the death.

Achilles is the Greek hero, who fights and dies in the Trojan War. Achilles' mother says if he doesn't kill Hector, Achilles will live a long life. Achilles decides to avenge his dead lover, Patroclus. Phaedrus is sure that Achilles is the beloved because he is the younger man in the couple. For the beloved to avenge the death of his lover is a special honor and shows the strength of Achilles' character and love. When another lover Orpheus, goes...
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