Socrates in the cave: on the philosopher's motive in Plato

This work addresses the problem of fully explaining Socrates' motives for philosophic interlocution in Plato's dialogues.

Why, for instance, does Socrates talk to many philosophically immature and seemingly incapable interlocutors?

Are his motives in these cases moral, prudential, erotic, pedagogic, or intellectual?

In any one case, can Socrates' reasons for engaging an unlikely interlocutor be explained fully on the grounds of intellectual self-interest (i.e., the promise of advancing his own wisdom)? Or does his activity, including his self-presentation and staging of his death, require additional motives for adequate explanation?

Finally, how, if at all, does our conception of Socrates' motives help illuminate our understanding of the life of reason as Plato presents it?