plato2

     To accurately address the question of what the myth presented in Aristophanes'
speech says about the role of love in human life, the myth must be separated from the rest
of the speech. Aristophanes first relates his myth to the rest of the group in sections 189E
through 191D. He then goes on to explain, interpret, and make value judgments on that
myth. In this remaining speech judgments and assumptions are made which may or may
not be agreed upon, or accurate to they myth itself. Therefore, I will treat the myth as that which is found in sections 189E through 191D only.
      This myth presents the role of love in human life to be purely physical. It begins
with a time when humans were two people in one. This is presented as a happy, powerful
time. There is no mention of any negative aspects of life at this time. Then, after the
people cross the gods and are punished with separation, they feel the desire to be one
again, "so they would throw their arms about each other, weaving themselves together,
wanting to grow together.(191B)" This desire was so strong that, as in a drug addiction,
they would ignore all other priorities of life and eventually die of self neglect. Even though
they could be physically together, two seperates together, the could not bring themselves
the contentedness to carry on with their lives.
      When Zues took pity on them he put their genitals on the front of their bodies so
that they could sexually pleasure each other while embraced as described above.
     "The purpose of this was so that, when a man embraced a woman, he would cast
      his seed and they would have children; but when male embraced male, they would
      at least have the satisfaction of intercourse, after which they could stop embracing,
      return to their jobs, and look after their other needs in life.(191C-D)"
The difference from before and after is sexual gratification. "This, then, is the source of
our desire to love each other.(191D)"
      Although Aristophones later claims this myth shows how people are in search of
some sort of emotional or spiritual togetherness, his myth very clearly indicates that
humans seek love in their life only for sexual gratification.

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