Symposium [Audiobook] [Audio CD]

Plato (Author), David Shaw-Parker (Narrator), Tom Griffith (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 2006

New translation by Tom Griffith In Symposium, a group of Athenian aristocrats attend a party held by Agathon to celebrate his victory in the drama festival of the Dionysia. They talk about love until the drunken Alcibiades bursts in, and decides to talk about Socrates instead. "Symposium" gives a picture of the sparkling society that was Athens at the height of her empire. This classic discussion on love is presented in its ideal medium: a multi-voice recording.

Editorial Reviews

Review

'Tell me the truth about love' nicely summarises Plato's Symposium thanks to the liveliness of Tom Griffith's translation. Spirited readings from David Shaw-Parker as Socrates and a strong supporting cast make the listener feel that they, like Apollodorus' friends, have a seat at the most famous philosophical dinner party of all time.' -- Christina Hardyment "The Times, February 4, 2006"

From AudioFile

Plato's SYMPOSIUM is often assigned, but is it actually read? As a written text, it's a challenging work. Listening is a much more accessible way to understand this classical work, as well as the rhetorical strategies of its speeches. The ensemble cast is well matched to recreating the famous dialogue and speeches. David Shaw-Parker is a wily and sophisticated Socrates. As the first speaker on the topic of Eros, Hayward Morse is a gentle and thoughtful Phaedrus. Tim Bentinck makes a lively but still articulate entrance for the drunken Alcibiades. Susan Sheridan is a stately Diotima. The recording is supported by notes containing background information on the text and Athenian society. R.F. © AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine

Product Details

• Audio CD
• Publisher: Naxos of America; Unabridged edition (February 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 9626343834
• ISBN-13: 978-9626343838
• Product Dimensions: 5 x 6 x 0.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #557,322 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Worthy presentation, January 16, 2008

By 

desertowl - See all my reviews

This review is from: Symposium (Audio CD)

This is a multi-actor presentation of the Tom Griffith translation. The actors' British accents give it that panache that says 'culture.' Griffith's translation is well chosen--it is swift an unlabored, perfect for a dramatic presentation. The Symposium, as Plato intended it, succeeds both as a work of philosophy, and as a work of serio-comic theater. Look for the On Plato's Symposium translation for a more literal version, available in a Dialogues of Plato paperback.