In Plat. Symp. 203d, Diotima describes Eros as a δεινὸς γόης καὶ φαρμακεὺς καὶ σοφιστής. This paper aims to show how 1) the attributes which Plato ascribes to sorcerers and sophists in several Dialogues pervade the whole story of Poros and Penia (203b-204a) offering a model on which Eros' character can be built; 2) such a characterization of Eros determines the characterization of the δαιμόνιος ἀνήρ as a sorcerer (202e-203a) and of Diotima as a wandering diviner and a sophist (201d-e, 208b-c); 3) the definition of Eros as a sorcerer, a charmer and a sophist is polysemic, summing up Eros' attitude towards the objects of his desire, explaining the lover’s perception of the erotic tension, and paving the way for a transition from the tangible to the theoretical, which is necessary for the next stages of Diotima's speech.
Lo stregone, l'incantatore e il sofista. Sulla caratterizzazione di Eros in Plat. Symp. 203b-204a
Francesco Bertani
2021-01-01
Abstract
In Plat. Symp. 203d, Diotima describes Eros as a δεινὸς γόης καὶ φαρμακεὺς καὶ σοφιστής. This paper aims to show how 1) the attributes which Plato ascribes to sorcerers and sophists in several Dialogues pervade the whole story of Poros and Penia (203b-204a) offering a model on which Eros' character can be built; 2) such a characterization of Eros determines the characterization of the δαιμόνιος ἀνήρ as a sorcerer (202e-203a) and of Diotima as a wandering diviner and a sophist (201d-e, 208b-c); 3) the definition of Eros as a sorcerer, a charmer and a sophist is polysemic, summing up Eros' attitude towards the objects of his desire, explaining the lover’s perception of the erotic tension, and paving the way for a transition from the tangible to the theoretical, which is necessary for the next stages of Diotima's speech.
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