Symposium

By: Plato

Narrated by: full cast

Length: 2 hrs and 31 mins

Publisher's Summary

The Greek word sumposion means a drinking party (a fact shamefully ignored by the organizers of modern symposia), and the party described in Plato's Symposium is one supposedly given in the year 416 BC by the playwright Agathon to celebrate his victory in the dramatic festival of the Lenaea. He has already given one party, the previous evening; this second party is for a select group of friends, and host and guests alike are feeling a little frail. They decide to forego heavy drinking, and concentrate on conversation. The subject of their conversation is Eros, the god of sexual love.

Symposium was written around 384 BC, and many would regard it as Plato's finest dialogue, from an artistic point of view, and the most enjoyable to read or listen to. There are many reasons for this, including the keyhole glimpse it gives us of Athenian society; the role played in the dialogue by Socrates; the description of what has come to be known as Platonic love; and the characterization of the speakers.

The Cast:

David Shaw-Parker as Socrates

Tim Bentinck as Apollodorus/Alcibiades

Andrew Branch as Aristodemus

Daniel Flynn as Agathon

Gordon Griffin as Pausanias/Friend

Hayward Morse as Phaedrus

Christopher Scott as Eryximachus/Servant

Susan Sheridan as Diotima

David Timson as Aristophanes

Daniel Flynn as Presenter

Download the accompanying reference guide.

Public Domain (P)2005 Naxos Audiobooks

A perfect introduction to Plato

This audio book was perfect. When it is Socrates' turn to speak, he makes reference to a conversation he had with a woman. The audio production actually brings in a female narrator (who is just as effective as the main narrator) to take over this section. So you really get a "feel" for the ideas being conveyed as the Greeks at the time would have been considering them. Ad a side note, it is amazing how open this culture was to homosexuality. Judging from this classic of western philosophy it was the norm in 5th/6th century Athens.

I can't believe I'm giving PLATO three stars!!

I love ancient history, and I really enjoy ancient philosophy. (IMHO philosophy changed, and much for the worse, because of the French Revolution. Hobbes, Locke, Aquinas, Adam Smith and Aristotle are my homies.)

Anyway I started on this because of the recommendation of a friend, and hey... it's Plato. The guy's had a pretty good rep for longer than Alexander the Great... or Jesus. You got to give the man some respect.

Anyhow, I am about 2/3 through it, it has been tough going, and I may not finish it. Everyone is making speeches about love... and it is largely old men talking about how wonderful it is to sexually abuse young boys.

Yeah, I know it was ancient Athens and this kind of crap happened.... but it literally turns my stomach.

I'm told that I'm not yet to "the good part" where Alcibiades and Socrates speak... so perhaps I am being unfair. If I go back and finish it I will revise this review... and I'm giving it 3 stars based on the fact it supposedly gets better. If it ended where I left off it would get 1.

The performance is magnificent. The voice actors do a great job, really wonderful. I just can't enjoy long dialogues in support of pedophilia.

Greek Philosophy over a Good Wine

This production does a great job on throwing some life into Greek Philosophy. You'll be able put personalities with recognizable greek names, and the discussion is definately easier to follow with the full cast. But this is still pretty heavy stuff. If you're hoping for Greek Philosophy ala "Xena: Warrior Princess ", you're in the wrong selection.

You'll be listening in as these highbrow Athenias philosphers open a few bottles of wine and debate the pros and cons of Eros, the god of Love. (Remember that these intellectuals considered heterosexual love a cheap imitation of the more noble homosexual love - this is one of the few points they seem to agree on). The program revolves around philosophy, there's not any plot or action. But the dramatization helps you understand which opinions are coming from doctors, warriors, actors, etc. - thus making each perspective easier to follow. The fact that this debate took place because everyone had hangovers leaves you gaping at what regular debates had to be like back then!

Worth the 2.5 hours

Discovering the meaning of love? I call this a good investment. Diotima for the win.

You'll Wish You Were There

A delightful reading of what is probably Plato's most popular dialogue. Worth it just to hear Aristophanes' famous, witty description of spheroid, hermaphroditic humans before Zeus split us into two genders. Note that if you are a raging homophobe, you had better pass on this classic (and on much of Western Civilization).

Like a olay

This is the best audio version I've heard. The translation works well for the performance. This feels like a radio play which only needs some background noise to fully complete it. I appreciated Diotema getting her own voice for once.

I hope all Dialogues are performed in this way!

Symposium is the most enjoyable dialogue. The stuff have done a very impressive job representing it. I hope Plato's other work could also be performed in this way.

Gay dudes being gay

Superb performance and all around a pleasant first audiobook for me. I maybe dumb as a rock but it started out with the discussion about love and ended with a philosopher pissed the other philosopher didn't fuck him and that turned out to be a ploy to get together with the host philosopher. Pleasure for the mind and soul

Socrates on love

A fantastic performance, including multiple voices of one of Plato’s many works. The symposium, drinking party, starts with an ode to Eros, and ends with an ode to Socrates. A great listen to round out your understanding of Socrates and Plato.

Perfect performance of one of Plato’s best stories

I enjoyed every minute of Plato’s inspiring story performed in excellent English by first-class actors.

It's great

This book far exceeded my expectations. Thoroughly enjoyed this audible purchase. A multitude of perspectives delivered with quality.

Like listening to friends

Fantastic reading by great actors. I felt I was there with them. Much funnier than I thought it would be.