Symposium, Socrates and Diotima; The Lord of the Rings

Session 20 Discussion

David O'Connor

Symposium, Socrates and Diotima

• What is the object and purpose of love according to Diotima?

• Does the erotic ascent described by Diotima make love a selfish act?

• How would Antoine from The Hairdresser’s Husband respond to Diotima’s view that love is the desire of generation in the beautiful?  Would he agree with this statement with relation to the soul?  Would Mathilde?

The Lord of the Rings

• Both Diotima and Arwen suggest that procreation expresses a desire for immortality.  Is this desire a function of age? Of gender? Of being in love?

• Arwen sees procreation through love as worth the cost of immortality; is it also worth the cost of her father’s love and approval?