The Greek philosopher Plato depicts the unclear relationship between physical and ideal beauty through the analogy of madness. Physical beauty is a medium in which ideal beauty is indirectly manifested. He views ideal qualities as unrelated to material aspects, and as a result, the physical world is unreal. This can only occur through the sight of his ideal beauty, which incites in him powerful emotion. In From Phaedrus written by Plato, the philosopher has not succumbed to madness but is instead misunderstood by the unenlightened.
According to Plato, physical beauty is a mechanism in which ideal beauty is able to temporarily be expressed and becomes a mirror to the soul. Thus, true beauty lacks any physical properties. Instead, it provides insight and a greater understanding of one's own truth. It also provides greater knowledge as one is able to learn that the physical world is not in fact "true" or "real," instead the vast array of ideals are in fact the true reality. Plato illustrates how the lover has abandoned all objects that were previously important in his life, such as his family and other material possessions but yet "he thinks nothing of the neglect and loss of his property." He does not care that he has become detached from the physical world and left behind all earthly existence as a result of this newfound beauty. Plato underscores the intense feelings for the beloved who has become, "the object of his worship, and the physician who can alone assuage the greatness of his pain" (63). This authentic state has furthermore propelled this object of beauty into an idol to be worshiped as he is "amazed when he sees anyone having a god-like face or form, which is the expression of divine beauty" (62). This beauty compels the lover to leave behind a world that is not real for the sake of experiencing "truth." It is conceivable to misinterpret this expression of love and beauty however as "madness.
