Image

Plato on man/boy love

The Platonic dialogue, the Symposium, is the portrayal of a discussion on the subject of love, a discussion which purportedly took place during an all-night drinking party in fifth century Athens. Phaedrus is another Platonic dialogue in which the subject of love is examined in some depth. This dialogue portrays a discussion between Socrates and his young friend, Phaedrus, as they take a walk in the countryside, Both dialogues probe into the nature of love, and in both cases, it is the love between a man and a boy that holds center stage.

These are not dusty and pedantic reflections on matters that are no longer of any concern to us. On the contrary, they are good reads. They are fun, provocative and as relevant today as they were in classical times. They represent the oldest in-depth assessment of the nature and importance of boy/man love that I know of.

The Symposium

Phadrus

 

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Save

Related Articles