Function of Poetry
It may be said that Plato did not have a high opinion about poetry or poets. Being a philosopher, he looked at everything from a moral point of view. Therefore, he concluded that poetry took readers away from reality and that poetry does not make man wise and virtuous. He suggests truth as a test of poetry. However, Plato thinks that poetry can play an important role in society. According to Plato, who follows Socrates in these matters, giving pleasure to the reader should not be the main object of poetry or poet. Poetry to be worthwhile must instruct the reader. It must be able to lead the readers to the truth and make them aware of virtue. A poet must also be good teacher. Poetry should mould the character of man and take care of the interest of the state. For Plato pleasure is secondary to instruction. A poet must be able to trace the nature of beauty and perfection and instruct the readers and prompts them to lead a virtuous life. He must be concerned with the ideal forms of justice, goodness, beauty so on. He must write poems in praise of gods and great men and instil a sense of beauty and responsibility in the readers.
Plato’s views on Drama
Like poetry, drama also is a product of imagination so it cannot inculcate any moral values in the spectators. Drama is meant to be staged. Moreover, in order to please the diverse audience the playwright often plays to the gallery and presents quarrels and lamentations in tragedies and the cries of beasts in comedies. Such scenes appeal to the baser instincts in man. He is also aware of the effect of the roles on the mind of the actors. As the actors continuously imitate the actions of criminals, cowards and the like, there is a chance of these bad qualities influencing the actors. They suppress the actual nature of the actors and weaken their character. However if the characters are good they will leave a positive effect on the actors. Therefore, the tragic dramas that portray the noble part of life may be encouraged. Referring to the comic and tragic pleasures Plato says that indulgence in them is harmful to the individual and society. A fool acting as a wise man and a coward acting as a brave man evokes laughter in the audience. It is what the actor is and what he pretends to be that makes people laugh. Plato rightly says that such pleasure is malicious. One should never make fun of a man’s weakness. On the contrary, one should take pity with him. Then one would not laugh. Thus, the nature of tragic and comic pleasure is highly complicated.
It may be said that Plato did not have a high opinion about poetry or poets. Being a philosopher, he looked at everything from a moral point of view. Therefore, he concluded that poetry took readers away from reality and that poetry does not make man wise and virtuous. He suggests truth as a test of poetry. However, Plato thinks that poetry can play an important role in society. According to Plato, who follows Socrates in these matters, giving pleasure to the reader should not be the main object of poetry or poet. Poetry to be worthwhile must instruct the reader. It must be able to lead the readers to the truth and make them aware of virtue. A poet must also be good teacher. Poetry should mould the character of man and take care of the interest of the state. For Plato pleasure is secondary to instruction. A poet must be able to trace the nature of beauty and perfection and instruct the readers and prompts them to lead a virtuous life. He must be concerned with the ideal forms of justice, goodness, beauty so on. He must write poems in praise of gods and great men and instil a sense of beauty and responsibility in the readers.
Plato’s views on Drama
Like poetry, drama also is a product of imagination so it cannot inculcate any moral values in the spectators. Drama is meant to be staged. Moreover, in order to please the diverse audience the playwright often plays to the gallery and presents quarrels and lamentations in tragedies and the cries of beasts in comedies. Such scenes appeal to the baser instincts in man. He is also aware of the effect of the roles on the mind of the actors. As the actors continuously imitate the actions of criminals, cowards and the like, there is a chance of these bad qualities influencing the actors. They suppress the actual nature of the actors and weaken their character. However if the characters are good they will leave a positive effect on the actors. Therefore, the tragic dramas that portray the noble part of life may be encouraged. Referring to the comic and tragic pleasures Plato says that indulgence in them is harmful to the individual and society. A fool acting as a wise man and a coward acting as a brave man evokes laughter in the audience. It is what the actor is and what he pretends to be that makes people laugh. Plato rightly says that such pleasure is malicious. One should never make fun of a man’s weakness. On the contrary, one should take pity with him. Then one would not laugh. Thus, the nature of tragic and comic pleasure is highly complicated.
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