Xenophon’s Feast, summary

This work, which belongs to the genre of Socratic dialogue, was created by the ancient Greek writer and historian Xenophon sometime after 380 BC. The author recorded his recollections of a friendly meeting that took place in 421 BC. The text is valuable for demonstrating the "lighter" side of the life of Socrates and his circle, in contrast to more rigorous philosophical treatises, describing the behavior of noblemen during leisure and entertainment.

Unlike Plato’s dialogue of the same name, Xenophon’s Symposium does not claim metaphysical depth, but is considered an important source of information about the life and customs of the Athenian aristocracy of that time, and also offers an alternative view of the personality of Socrates.

Greeting guests and the beginning of the celebration

The story is told in the first person. The author declares her intention to describe not only the serious deeds of great men but also their humor. The events unfold during the Great Panathenaic Games. The wealthy Athenian Callias, son of Hipponicus, is strolling with his lover, the young Autolycus, a victor in the pankration, and his father, Lycon, when he encounters a group of acquaintances. Among them are Socrates, Critobulus, Hermogenes, Antisthenes, and Charmides. Callias insistently invites them to dinner, promising that the presence of men purified by philosophy will grace his home more than the company of military leaders or officials.

The guests, initially politely refusing, yield to Callias’s insistence. After washing and performing gymnastic exercises, they sit down at table. Particular attention is paid to the beauty of the young Autolycus. The presence of such a handsome youth evokes a reverent silence and awe among those gathered, comparable to a religious feeling. Xenophon notes that beauty combined with modesty has an ennobling effect on people: gestures become fluid, and glances welcoming.

An uninvited guest and the first entertainment

A knock at the door breaks the silence. The jester Philip appears, asking to be let in, declaring that he has everything he needs for dinner, but his stomach is empty. Callias, not wanting to be known as a miser, invites the jester to the table. Philip tries to entertain the guests with his usual witticisms, but seeing that no one is laughing, he falls into feigned despair. He covers his head with his cloak and begins to sob, lamenting that his craft is ruined: if people stop laughing, no one will invite him to dinner. This prank finally elicits smiles, and Critobulus laughs, which consoles the jester, who returns to the table.

After the tables have been cleared and libations offered to the gods, the Syracusan appears with his troupe: a skilled flutist, an acrobatic dancer, and a boy playing the cithara and dancing. The guests enjoy the music. Socrates admires the organization of the evening, but when Callias suggests bringing incense, the philosopher declines. He argues that men have no need of artificial fragrances. The best scent for a free citizen is the scent of gymnasium oil, indicating physical exercise, while for the elderly, the only worthy scent is "kalokagathia" (moral purity and nobility).

Dancing and discussion of parenting

A dancer performs a complex routine with hoops, tossing them into the air. Socrates remarks that women’s natures are in no way inferior to men’s, lacking only physical strength and firmness, so men should teach their wives everything necessary. Antisthenes counters with a question: why didn’t Socrates himself discipline his wife Xanthippe, known for her bad temper? Socrates responds with a horseman’s metaphor: anyone who wants to be a good rider chooses a fiery horse, for once they master it, they can easily master any other. So he, too, desiring to communicate with people, chose Xanthippe to learn how to interact with even the most difficult characters.

Then follows a dangerous act: a girl tumbles through a hoop studded with sharp swords. Socrates points out that courage can be learned, since even a woman dares to take such a risk. When the boy begins to dance, Socrates praises the harmoniousness of his movements, which engage his entire body. The philosopher admits that he himself would like to learn to dance to maintain his health and avoid developing a belly. This statement provokes laughter. The jester Philippe parodies the boy and girl’s dance, but does so grotesquely, exaggerating every movement, causing general mirth.

Conversation over wine

Socrates delivers a speech on the benefits of moderate wine drinking. He compares people to plants: if they’re doused with water, they can’t thrive, but with a light rain (moderate drinking), they flourish. The philosopher suggests drinking from small cups so that wine leads not to intoxication, but to a gentle joy.

The musical pause is interrupted by a proposal to begin a conversation. Callias invites each guest to share what quality or skill they are most proud of.

Items of pride for guests

Callias prides himself on making people more just. When asked how, he replies, "By giving them money." He believes that with the means to support themselves, people will not commit crimes.
Niceratus boasts of knowing all of Homer by heart. Antisthenes sarcastically remarks that this knowledge is available even to rhapsodes, who are considered fools.
Critobulus is proud of his beauty. He claims that his appearance allows him to achieve everything effortlessly, winning people over.
Antisthenes claims to be proud of his wealth, despite being materially poor. He explains that true wealth resides in the soul: little is enough for him, he is free from greed, and he is always ready to share his spiritual blessings with his friends.
Charmides is proud of his poverty. Previously, when he was rich, he lived in fear of thieves and sycophants, paying taxes, but now he’s free, people make way for him, and he fears nothing.
Socrates suddenly declares that he is proud of the art of matchmaking (in the highest sense - the ability to bring people together, making them pleasant to each other).
Lycon is proud of his son Autolycus, and Autolycus is proud of his father.
Hermogenes is proud of the virtue and power of his friends - the gods who care for him and send signs.

Disputes and competition in beauty

A heated debate ensues, with everyone defending their thesis. Niceratus argues that Homer offers advice for every occasion, even on how to flavor drinks with onions. This leads to jokes about how the smell of onions can scare off wives if someone tries to kiss them.

The central episode is the "trial of beauty" between Socrates and Critobulus. Socrates, using his dialectical method, argues that beauty is a matter of expediency. His eyes are more beautiful because they bulge and see not only straight ahead but also to the sides; his nose, with its wide nostrils, better captures scents, and his thick lips kiss more tenderly. However, in a secret ballot (voted by a boy and a girl from the troupe), Critobulus wins, and Socrates jokingly accuses him of bribing the judges.

Conflict with the Syracusan

During a general conversation, the Syracusan impresario becomes irritated because the guests are engrossed in the conversation rather than his performers. He rudely addresses Socrates, asking if it’s true that he’s a "thinker" with his head in the clouds (a reference to Aristophanes’ comedy "The Clouds"). Socrates calmly retorts. Antisthenes tries to escalate the conflict by comparing the Syracusan to a quarrelsome man, but Socrates defuses the quarrel by calling for peace and inviting everyone to sing together.

Socrates’ Speech on Love (Eros)

Socrates delivers a long and lofty speech, addressing Callias and Autolycus. He distinguishes two aspects of Aphrodite: Aphrodite Urania (Heavenly) and Aphrodite Pandemos (Vulgar/Popular).

Earthly love is directed at the body. It is transient, for as beauty fades, so does the feeling. Such love is often associated with violence or self-interest.
Heavenly love is directed toward the soul, friendship, and virtue. It grows stronger with age, as the soul grows wiser with time.

Socrates praises Callias for the noble nature of his attraction to Autolycus. He encourages the young man to strive for valor and knowledge, citing the example of mythological heroes who were renowned not for their beauty but for their deeds. The philosopher asserts that a true lover cares for the moral development of their beloved, not for their own pleasure.

Final: Pantomime

The evening concludes with a performance. The Syracusan organizes a pantomime based on the myth of Dionysus and Ariadne. The actors portray the meeting of the god and his beloved. The performance is so realistic and imbued with genuine passion that it leaves a strong impression on the audience. Xenophon emphasizes that the actors weren’t just acting; they seemed genuinely in love with each other.

The guests are greatly excited by the sight of Dionysus and Ariadne’s passionate embrace and kisses. The singles vow to marry immediately, while the married men mount their horses to return to their wives. Lycon and Autolycus depart, praising Socrates for his spiritual beauty. Socrates and the remaining guests go for a stroll, seeing them off.

The book ends with a description of the evening’s conclusion, when the guests, excited by the performance and conversation, depart. "And so this feast, held in honor of Autolycus, was ruined."

Xenophon’s "Feast", summary Automatic translate