Happiness Lessons of The Ancients: Plato

In 'The Phaedrus,' Plato presents a dialogue between Socrates and Phaedrus that delves into several key themes. The discussion begins with Phaedrus reading a speech by Lysias that argues a non-lover is preferable to a lover. Socrates critiques this speech and then delivers two of his own speeches on love, one of which is a palinode that praises the divine nature of love. The dialogue also explores the art of rhetoric, critiquing the Sophists for using rhetoric to manipulate rather than seek truth. A central allegory, the charioteer myth, describes the soul as a charioteer driving two horses, symbolizing the struggle between reason and desire. The dialogue emphasizes the transformative power of true love, guiding the soul towards divine wisdom and truth, and underscores the importance of the soul's immortality and its self-motion[2][3][4].

The Odyssey, attributed to Homer, is an ancient Greek epic poem that tells the story of Odysseus, king of Ithaca, and his ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. The poem explores Odysseus's encounters with various mythical creatures, divine interventions, and natural challenges. Upon his return to Ithaca, he must confront the suitors who have been vying for his wife Penelope's hand in marriage. With the help of his son Telemachus and the goddess Athena, Odysseus devises a plan to defeat the suitors and reclaim his throne. The poem is a reflection on human nature, loyalty, and the consequences of one's actions, and it remains a crucial component of ancient Greek literature and Western cultural heritage.