Final answer:
In Aristophanes' Symposium, he believes that certain people are drawn to each other because they were originally one being split into two halves by the gods. When these people find each other, they experience a sense of completion. Similar endings can be found in the story of Oedipus, where he faces the consequences of his actions. These endings can be seen as both expressions of Eros and a betrayal of its nature.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Plato's Symposium, Aristophanes presents his views on why certain people are drawn to each other. According to Aristophanes, humans were originally beings with both male and female parts, but the gods split them into two halves. This separation created a longing for reunion, leading people to search for their other half. When these people are drawn together, they experience a sense of completion and wholeness. This idea suggests that love is the desire for unity, and when individuals find their other half, it is an ultimate expression of Eros.
A similar ending can be found in the story of Oedipus by Sophocles. Oedipus unknowingly marries his mother and kills his father, but when he discovers the truth, he blinds himself as a punishment. This ending can also be seen as an ultimate expression of Eros, as Oedipus faces the consequences of his actions and accepts his fate.
These endings can be seen as both expressions of Eros and a betrayal of its nature. They highlight the complexity of love and its potential for both unity and destruction.