Phaedrus Essay -- essays research papers

Purposely hard-fought and intentionally obsessive, Platos Phaedrus is an exceedingly difficult read that defies all conventional logic as a switch of discourse. The text is extremely subjective, open to interpretation and individual creativity as to what or whom the narrative is close. Written by Plato, a close aider of Socrates, this text is set along the Illissus river w here(predicate) Phaedrus and Socrates meet for a day of speech, debate, blandishment and okayflirting. Phaedrus leads of the day and recites a speech by his close patron Lysias, who Phaedrus considers to be a top speechmaker. Socrates then, after chiding by Phaedrus unleashes dickens speeches of his own that overshadow and refute Lysias claim so boldly that Phaedrus is so taken by the power of Socrates, that Phaedrus I compute misses the point of the perfect speech. I think the main idea of the Phaedrus is that Platos purpose in writing the document, and using Phaedrus as an example of the reader of this dialogue, is to develop a mad passion to pursue wisdom because of the musical mode Socrates hints, and later describes his definitions of derangement, interest group of wisdom, and critical thinking. For it were a simple fact that insanity is evil, the saying would be true but in reality the greatest blessings come to us through madness, when it is sent as a gift of the gods (465). I think that atomic number 53 of the most powerful claims in the entire text is that of how madness is essential to pursue virtually everything, including Phaedrus beloved wisdom. In the commendation Socrates is not suggesting or insinuating an aspect of his lesson he is not merely attempting to get Phaedrus to think, as he so often does in this text, but right here in this quote Socrates declares his love for the ability to be mad. The ability to motivation something so bad, so vehemently, is what Socrates flat out told Phaedrus, is nothing short of god-like. Socrates give tongue to this after hi s first speech when I believe Phaedrus is solely beginning to fall under the spell that Socrates is attempting to blind him with. Speak without fear (465) Phaedrus says to Socrates just a moment before Socrates, I my opinion gives a littler more information than he wants to, so early in the text. The quote on page 465 was also very strong because it was unexpected by I think both Socrates and Phaedrus. Socrates is very adamant about madness, and how it is necessary. undeniable for all aspe... ...rough proofs that I thought Socrates later detailed how to pursue wisdom, furnish by this mad passion that I feel Socrates felt had to illogical. I made the comparison of Bill Parish and Socrates because I felt that the same way the old, wise Socrates was teaching Phaedrus that it was the mad pursuit that makes life worth sprightliness Bill Parish was doing the exact same thing to his daughter Susan. It was another celluloid though that drove me to the point of madness, even irration al thought one that Plato wrote, Socrates directed, and Phaedrus acted in, that in the end proved my own main idea. ---- On a personal note, I would like to personally thank you for turning me on to classic Greek literature. Especially all the encouragement you have granted me in making this paper my own, and becoming literally addicted, passionate even, about the Phaedrus. I get the feeling though, that I can read and re-read this for 10 years and still not fully get everything that I could or should. But I guess that is the purpose of a text of this magnitude. I really hope enjoyed reading my thoughts on this, because I can aboveboard say I have had a great time writing it.