Point of View

The point of view of the story begins in the first person, from the point of view of Apollodorus. Apollodorus is discussing with his companions the story of the Symposium that taken place years ago and then tells the story. After a brief introduction, the point of view shifts to the third person in the telling of the actual story. In addition, there is so much dialogue in the story that it could be performed as a play and put on in front of an audience. Long speeches are included with few breaks. Many of the speeches are addressed to "you" or another person directly and have a familiar way of speech and an intimate feel. Some of the speeches are made from a more formal point of view, as if they would be written down and circulated publicly. This is the case particularly with Agathon's...