Phaedrus presents a pretty powerful description of what it is to fall in love with someone. He comments on the loss of reason that occurs when one holds another person in such a close place to their heart, and the desire to please another person above all other people, even sometimes above one's self.
The compulsions that Phaedrus describes here are still relevant to relationships between lovers today. He says "For lovers praise your words and acts beyond due measure, partly through fear of incurring your displeasure, and partly because their own judgement is obscured by their passion" (142 Column 1). Here he describes a rhetorical situation between two people, a dance wrought with persuasion and communication. Lovers get to know each other like no one else and the level of communication deepens as the relationship grows. One lover knows that praising the other will contribute to their happiness, and thus their lover will be more receptive to their wishes. If one partner(the speaker) wants something from the other(the audience), he or she knows what tools to use in order to get it.
Nonlovers, however give to each other with no other intention and thus give to all people, and not just a lover. Nonlovers seek to please the public, to help those who need help, and to know the people around him more closely. Instead of wasting time and effort on love, he is helping himself by promoting the public opinion of himself.
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