Diotima

Diotima values the reproduction of ideas more so than the reproduction of body because ideas last longer and to him are more valuable than individuals.  By using this logic to explain the difference between Common Love and Heavenly love, Diotima expresses her respect for intellectual fulfillment rather than sexual.  Diotima believes we all have a love for beautiful things and a good that we wish to have forever. This drive for immortality is what causes one to be willing to die for their lover because they know that this heroism would immortalize them. She believes this too is why we reproduce in hopes of continuing our legacy or life through our children. While Diotima attempts to teach Alcibiades I do not believe her words word heard. Although I do not think Alcibiades was actually drunk I do think the act was a way of showing that he was not taking her words serious although there were many excellent points she made. By going last I feel like she was able to mold together the ideas of others along with her own in order to come up with what she thought was the ultimate definition of love.