Sunday, February 25, 2007

Eryximachus

I thought that Eryximachus made some interesting points in his speech in the Symposium. Since he is a doctor he compares the two different types of love to two conditions of the human body - healthy or diseased. Just like in medicine, everything that contributes to health must be encouraged in regard to love. He makes the comparison between overeating and debauchery to show that moderation is necessary when it comes to love, too. Otherwise it becomes unhealthy.

Eryximachus also draws parallels between music and love. Pleasing and enjoyable music has a balance and a certain tension. There is a duality to everything, and love is not excluded from this. Like music and seasons and weather (hot and cold, wet and dry), there must be harmony between heavenly, spiritual love and common, vulgar love. These opposites create a balance, which is ideal when it comes to love.

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