at to the gods. Because of this, the beings were split in two, or Aristophanes says, "like a sorb-apple …or as you might divide an egg with a hair," (Nehamas & Woodruff, 26) and because of this they became irate in search of their other half. To prevent further gaining of power the gods gave them the ability to procreate and thus create more confusion and uncertainty as to who their original mate was. The pursuit of the other half is what Aristophanes designated love. The legend as Aristophanes portrays it is much like that of the modern new age philosophy of the soul mate. Many modern faiths and cultures believe that each person is originally a part of on being that is split in two and that their other half is their one true love. This idea may be a basis to explain the need for humans to find one person that best suits them and their needs thus the commonalties could be interpreted as such a concept. Aristophanes continues and states an idea that in itself is a troubling double standard that is proof that even philosophers were blinded by sexual prejudices. Aristophanes states that the separation of the beings that were like women don't care for men and have a female attachment and were lewd and adulterous. Where as the men that followed other men were not shameful. "It’s not because they have no shame that such boys do this you see, but because they are bold, brave and masculine and they tend to cherish what is like themselves," (Nehamas & Woodruff, 26). These remarks I consider a double standard because as stated before the beings were once a singular entity, which was identical, both front and back. Aristophanes has said that they were divided like an apple or an egg, which even the mathematical oriented philosophers would agree, are symmetrical. So why then are the rights of the women less than that of the rights of the man if they were begotten from the same being? Why are the women criticized and the me...
