Great Works of Literature I, Spring 2020 – Online – One

How do Socrates and Phaedrus describe various kinds of lovers’ behaviors?

Lysias regards the non-lover to be preferred by the beloved. within the beginning of the speech, Lysias supports the non-lover by stating they’re going to voluntarily satisfy the beloved’s self-interest even as very much like they’d satisfy their own (Phaedrus 231A). In other words, by preferring a non-lover, a symbiotic partnership will arise where both individuals can healthily enjoy each other. In contrast, Lysias states an admirer will hold expectations for a beloved, creating a demanding “give and take” relationship; not acting voluntarily but acting selfishly to realize something reciprocally. Such as, in modern terms, a person buys a lady dinner and therefore the man expects the girl to exchange sex for the value of a salad. Socrates states the irrational, instinctual behavior of the lover and the “acquired judgment” of the non-lover to be within a single individual (Phaedrus 237D-237E). Following this idea, Socrates sees the desire to be overpowering and drives lovers to “seek pleasure in the beautiful,” leading the lover to become jealous and hinder the beloved by over-protecting them and never allowing the beloved to learn and progress their mind (Phaedrus 239B). Because of Socrates’ conclusions of the lover being overpowered by desire, making irrational choices and being captivated by the lustful sickness of Love.