Synopsis to Socrates' Speech

             (1) Synopsis to Socrates' Speech
             Socrates begins by talking about madness. He talks about how the people who designed language did not think of madness as something to be ashamed of. They used the term 'manic.' He claims that people, now, do not know the fine points and meaning of manic so they chose to create the word 'mantic.' He also brings up another word: oionoistic. He thinks that the word mantic is more admirable than oionoistic even though they both describe 'madness.' He states that madness is an aid to the things that plague them and the greatest of their troubles.
             Next, he talks about love. "Love is not sent by the god as a benefit to a lover and his boy (245C)." This means that love was not created to play around with. He feels that a lover and a boy do not really know the real meaning of love and abuse it. Socrates brings up the point that the soul is immortal. The reason for this is that anything that is immortal is always in motion. Gods are immortal, therefore, they should not have a birth or a death. When that soul decides to venture off and find a body, it becomes mortal. This is explained as a 'living thing' or an 'animal.' The immortals reside in heaven and see to their duties. There is no room for jealousy in heaven. The charioteer is in control of the chariot and the horse. This makes him the 'subject of all true knowledge.'
             One that can see reality grows wings. Socrates feels that only a philosopher's mind grows wings. He feels that he is perfect. When those wings are used to rise above everything and what is below is forgotten, the result is someone who loves beautiful boys. This person is considered a lover. Once a lover falls in 'love,' he becomes overwhelmed at the sight of the beautiful boy. He becomes nervous and becomes sweaty and hot. When this happens, everything that was go...

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Synopsis to Socrates' Speech. (1969, December 31). In MegaEssays.com. Retrieved 05:18, March 29, 2024, from https://www.megaessays.com/viewpaper/18807.html