The Peak Located in the Center of Plato's Symposium:an Analysis of the Significance of Aristophanes'Speech
Aristophanes'speech for Eros in Plato's Symposium is of irreplaceable significance in the whole play that Plato has carefully constructed,which is mainly reflected in three aspects:Firstly,Plato establishes a mythological framework for Aristophanes'speech,distinct from the logos-driven approach,imbued with profound intentions.Secondly,Aristophanes'speech was purposely arranged at the center of Symposium and assumed the function of inheriting the eulogy of predecessors,removing misleading obstacles,and then opening the prelude to the truth of Socrates'speech.Finally,Aristophanes'speech contains Plato's knowledge of the old comic poets and their works,as well as a profound reflection on the political problems of the real city-state.Even after the conclusion of the dialogue,the speech still has a lingering effect,and Plato's ingenious treatment of it in Symposium makes it a peak that is not defeated by Socrates'philosophical speech.