Contributions of Plato as a critic

 

Plato was the first scholastic philosopher who had given a systematic shape to criticism. He lived in the fourth century B.C. He was the most celebrated disciple of Socrates. By his time the glory of Athenian art and literature began to fade and was taken by philosophy and oratory. The great philosophers of the period discussed a great variety of matters including the value of literature of society and its nature and functions. The fourth century B.C. was an age of critical enquiry and analysis.

 

Plato was not a professed critic of literature and there is no single work that contains his critical observations. His ideas are expressed in several books, chief among them being the “Dialogues”  "Ion" and the “Republic”.

PLATO’S CONCEPT OF ART:

Plato’s concept of art is closely related to his theory of ideas. Ideas, he says are the ultimate reality and things are conceived as ideas before they take practical shape as things. The idea of everything is therefore its original pattern, and the thing itself its copy. As copy ever falls short of the original, it is once removed from reality.

Art – literature, painting, sculpture- reproduces the things ,  first in words, the next in colours and the last in stone. So it merely copies a copy; it is twice removed from reality. Art takes men away from reality.

PLATO’S ATTACK ON POETRY

In Plato’s opinion, poetry cannot shape the character of the individual not can it promote the well-being of the state. It is a copy of the copy. It is twice removed from reality.

He condemns/ attacks poetry on three grounds.

1. Poetic inspiration

2. The emotional appeal of poetry

3. Its non-moral character.

Poetic inspiration

The poet writes not because he has thought long over but because he is inspired. It is a spontaneous overflow or a sudden outpouring of the soul. No one can rely on such sudden outpourings. It might have certain profound truth, but it should be suspected to the test of reason. Then only it will be acceptable. Otherwise they are not safe guides. So they can’t be substitutes to philosophy which is guided by the cool deliberation (long and careful discussion). Poetry, on the other hand, is created by the impulse of moment. So it cannot make a better citizen or a Nation.

The Emotional Appeal of Poetry

Poetry appeals to the emotions and not to the reason/ intellect. Its pictures of life are therefore misleading. Poetry is the product of inspiration. Hence it cannot be safe guide as reason. Plato illustrates this with reference to the tragic poetry. In tragedy, there is much weeping and wailing. This moves the heart of the spectators. It is harmful in its effect. If we let our own pity grow on watching the grief of others, it will not be easy to control it in the case of our own sufferings. Poetry only feeds the passions and emotions.

Its non-moral character

Poetry lacks concern with morality. It treats both virtue and vice alike. Virtue often comes to grief in literature. Many evil characters are happy and many virtuous men are seen unhappy. It is seen that wickedness is profitable and that honest dealing is harmful to one’s self. Their portraits of Gods and Heroes are also objectionable. Gods are presented as unjust or revengeful or guilty and heroes are full of pride, anger, grief and so on. Such literature corrupted both the citizen and the state.

THE FUNCTIONS OF POETRY(concerns of Literature):

Plato says that although poetry pleases, mere pleasure is its object. Art cannot be separated from morals. Truth should be the test of poetry. Pleasure ranks low in Plato’s scale of values. A poet is a good artist in so far as he a good teacher. Poetic truth must be the ideal forms of justice, goodness and beauty.

 

HIS VIEWS ON DRAMA

Plato’s observation on poetry is equally applicable to drama. But he says a few more things about drama in particular.

Its appeal to the Baser Instincts

Drama is meant to be staged. Its success depends upon a heterogeneous multitude. In order to please them all, the dramatist often introduces what they like such as quarrels and lamentation. This is likely to lead to the arousal of baser instincts. It may affect morality. Hence such plays should be banished.

 

Effects of Impersonation

By constantly impersonating evil characters, the actors imbibe vices. This is harmful to their natural self. Acting, says Plato is not a healthy exercise. It represses individuality and leads to the weakness of character; However, Plato admits that if the actors impersonate virtuous characters, the same qualities are stimulated in them by the force of habit. These tragedies that represent the best and the noble are to be encouraged.

Plato’s concept of the Ideal State is detailed in his most famous work, The Republic. This philosophical model of a perfect society is deeply rooted in Plato's belief that the moral and political order should reflect the natural order of the soul. He proposed a hierarchical, just society where every individual plays a role that corresponds to their nature and abilities. Plato’s Ideal State revolves around justice, the role of education, and the philosopher-king as the ideal ruler.

Why Does Plato Banish Poets from the Ideal State?

Plato’s criticism of poets and his decision to banish them from the ideal state stems from his views on mimesis (imitation) and the ethical and psychological effects of poetry. His opposition to poets can be understood through several key concerns:

Mimesis and the Deception of Reality Plato argues that poetry is an imitation of an imitation, making it far removed from the truth. Since poetry and art only imitate the physical world, which itself is an imperfect reflection of the realm of ideal Forms, poets present distorted versions of reality.

For Plato, this is dangerous because it leads people further away from truth. Instead of helping individuals understand the world of Forms and pursue knowledge, poetry encourages them to focus on the superficial, transient aspects of life.

The Emotional Appeal of Poetry Plato was highly critical of how poetry appeals to emotions rather than reason. He believed that emotional responses could overpower rational thought, leading people to behave irrationally. Poetry, with its  depictions of intense emotions such as love, anger, fear, and grief, can disturb the rational harmony of the soul by encouraging emotional excess.

The Ethical Impact of Poetry Plato was particularly concerned with the ethical implications of poetry. He argued that poets often present morally questionable behavior, which could corrupt the character of citizens, especially the youth. In The Republic, he criticizes poets like Homer for depicting gods and heroes who act immorally, such as engaging in deceit, revenge, or impetuous violence.

The Promotion of False Ideals For Plato, poetry tends to promote false ideals of heroism, honor, and virtue that are based on superficial appearances rather than true moral or philosophical principles. Poets often celebrate physical beauty, wealth, and fame, which are ephemeral and not aligned with the higher good that philosophers seek to understand.