"OK Sherman. Set the LGBTQ WABAC Machine to 385 BC"

"OK Sherman. Set the LGBTQ WABAC Machine to 385 BC,
as we examine one of the earliest pieces of literature that addresses same-sex love and gender identity."

A Brief Introduction:  The Symposium is a philosophical text by Plato which concerns itself with the genesis, purpose and nature of love, and is the origin of the concept of Platonic love. Love is examined in a sequence of speeches by men attending a symposium, or drinking party. Each man must deliver an encomium, a speech in praise of Love (Eros). Socrates in his speech asserts that the highest purpose of love is to become a philosopher or, literally, a lover of wisdom. The dialogue has been used as a source by social historians seeking to throw light on life in ancient Athens, in particular upon sexual behavior, and the symposium as an institution.

So one of these drunk Greek guys named Aristophanes gave this speech. Please read it.

This mythology has made its way into popular culture in many ways over the years, as in this groovy image from the 1970's:

If any of you have seen the fantastic film Hedwig and the Angry Inch, this story may seem familiar as it was the basis for the song "The Origin of Love". Watch the video here, which features some incredible animation. You can also read the lyrics to the song here.

Assignment:

Part A: Write a 300-word minimum paragraph for each of the following two questions. Include both paragraphs in a single post to this discussion board. (600 words minimum total.)

1)  According to Aristophanes' myth, why do we find other people attractive? What is the Origin of Love? How does this shed new light on our common phrases about “sharing our lives” with “our other halves”? Did the animators get it right in Hedwig and the Angry Inch?

2)  The critic David Halperin points out that Aristophanes does not distinguish simply between homosexuality and heterosexuality, but between male-male, male-female, and female-female love, suggesting that each type of love is unique, but not opposed to each other.  Where do non-binary identifying people fit into Aristophanes' myth? How does Aristophanes' myth make you think differently about sexual orientation and gender identity?