Platonic love is a type of love without sexual desire or romantic features. Plato's Symposium explores love's progression from carnal to divine attraction. Socrates defines love through pregnancy of body, soul, and existence. Pausanias distinguishes between vulgar (earthly) and divine (divine) Eros
Sonnet 20 is one of Shakespeare's most famous early poems. Opening line describes Fair Youth as having feminine features. Youth's gentle heart and beautiful eyes are described without flaws. Nature transforms Youth into a man with male genitals. Shakespeare's love for Youth is compared to women's pleasure
Platonic love is nonsexual and nonromantic, but still deep and meaningful. Term comes from ancient Greek philosopher Plato's theories about soul-based love. Can exist between friends, mentors, and professional colleagues