The Symposium

The Symposium is a significant work of classical literature that explores themes of sex, gender, and human instincts. In the form of a lively drinking party, Athenian intellectuals discuss Eros, desire, and develop profound reflections on gender roles and the role of sexuality in society. The conversations lead to a radical challenge of conventional views, particularly through Socrates, who advocates for the transcendence through spiritual love. This work offers a multifaceted examination of the nature of love, understood as a response to beauty, as a cosmic force, as a driving force for social actions, and as a means of ethical education. The publication by Penguin Random House ensures that readers have access to an authoritative text, complemented by introductions and notes from esteemed scholars.