uys, what you think of this guy's wine glass?! The subject of Socrates' drinking habits comes up again and again. Why, doyou think? What do you make of Eryximachus' question at the bottom of p. 35?"Truth"--keep your eye on that word. Who is Silenus? Be sure you understand the "figure" (i.e., simile) that Acibiades uses todescribe Socrates. What is a "satyr"? Who is Pericles? What effect does Socrates have on Alcibiades? Does that surprise you, given the drunken man you see before you? His drawing out of his simile is really marvelous. Could you make such extendeduse of a simile?What do you make of his statement that he knows Socrates better than anyone? Alcibiades has "opened" Socrates and"looked within at his serious purpose." This seems to put him in a very special position (and in a perfect position to have thelast word i n this discussion). Just when he seems to be getting serious, however, he gives you an account of a very funny"seduction scene" that backfires. Read it slowly and enjoy it.What of Socrates' response? It is honest--cruelly honest. The astounding thing about Socrates is that he is always thesame. Why is this ability so absolutely amazing? Alcibiades calls him a "wonderful monster." Alcibiades then turns to examples of this apparently superhuman talent. Read pages 40-41 carefully. What does "allegory" mean? Why does Socrates usethe kind of language he does (of "pack-asses and smiths")?What is Plato's response to all this? Then, a second interruption, this time of the sort we had expected when Alcibiadesarrived. Notice that they "spoiled the order of the banquet." Who remains awake? What do they talk about? What doesSocrat es do when he leaves? Could you?...
