Who is Socrates from Symposium and what is their importance?

Greek philosopher, Socrates, is Plato's teacher. In this dialogue, Socrates is in his element, talking with his fellow citizens at a drinking party. Socrates is not shocked by the abandonment by which some of his fellow party-goers chase boys and young men for sexual favors. Nevertheless, we come to understand that Socrates' true goal was spreading ideas. Socrates doesn't see Love as a god at all, but a great spirit whose purpose is to bring people together..... to reproduce the beautiful and the good and share in immortality.