PLATO----Additional materials

PLATO [B. C. 427-348]

[Additional materials on Plato—S. Sreekumar]

Plato was the most celebrated disciple of Socrates. He lived during the twilight period of Athenian Art and Literature. The golden Age which saw the creative outpourings of Phidias, Polygnotus, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes was on the decline. Drama and Poetry were replaced by philosophy and oratory. Parmenides, Empedocles and Socrates were the chief philosophers and Gorgias, Antiphon, and Lysias were the great orators. The fifth century was the glorious age for creative activity. The fourth was famous for critical inquiry and analysis.

Plato could not be called a ‘critic’ of literature in any sense of the term. Rather, he had a very low opinion about all creations of imagination. His area was philosophy and it is the subject of his  great work, the Dialogues.

Dialogues

This work is in question and answer format. There are a number of interlocutors in the work. The chief among them is Socrates. We can safely assume that the opinions expressed by Socrates are the opinions of Plato also. In the work, there are scattered references to literature.

Plato’s views of Art are connected to his theory of Ideas

Theory of Ideas & Views of Art

1. Ideas are the ultimate reality. Ideas exist in our mind. [Before we build a house, the Idea of a house is there in our mind. This Idea is perfect. The house we build may be perfect or imperfect.]

2. Thus the idea is original.  The things we see/experience are copies of the Idea. [The house we live in is a copy of the Idea that was there in our mind. Hence all the things we see around us are copies of the Idea. Thus all these things are once removed from Idea which is the reality.

3. Art—literature, painting, sculpture etc. are copies of the things we see around us. As stated in the above paragraph (2), the things we see around us are copies of the Idea. Art, Literature, Painting and Sculpture copy the things in the outside world which are themselves copies of the original Idea. Thus they copy a copy. Thus Art, Literature, Painting and Sculpture are twice removed from reality.

All the things around us are imperfect as they are nothing but copies of the Perfect Idea which is there in our mind. Art copies the things around us which are already imperfect. Therefore Art is twice imperfect.

IDEA (Original)—-> the things around us (Copies)

—-> painting/poem/sculpture (copies of copies).

dea is perfect. Things around us-- imperfect (one time). Painting/poem/sculpture--imperfect (twice).

  Plato admits that art has charm. But this charm makes it more dangerous to individuals and society. Plato realized that Art can change the mind of people. It could instill a love for beauty. But very few people used it like that. 

Plato’s attack on Poetry.

Plato was anxious about the welfare of the individual and the society. He found that poetry did much damage to both. Therefore he believed that there is much to be condemned than to be recommended in poetry. He cited some reasons for condemnation of poetry—

1. Art is twice removed from reality.

(This point is already explained)

2. Poetic Inspiration is unreliable——

Poet says things under inspiration which is not based on reason. It cannot be depended upon to make the individual a better citizen and the state a better organization. Poetry can never take the place of Philosophy.

3. The Emotional appeal of poetry——

Philosophers as a class took a very dim view of emotions. They never consider emotions as a safe guide because emotions are just impulses of the moment unlike philosophy which is based on perennial truths. Poetry is to be condemned because it appealed to the emotions of the readers than to their intellect.

4. Non-moral character

Poetry is amoral. It treats alike both virtue and vice without regard for moral considerations. Such literature corrupted both the citizen and the state.

The Function of Poetry

 Poetry is pleasing but pleasure should not be taken as the main function of poetry. Truth is the test of good poetry. Only through truth can poetry mould the character and promote the welfare of the state. A poet must be a good teacher. Then only he can become a good artist.

Plato’s views on Drama

All Plato’s observations on poetry are applicable to drama. Drama was twice removed from reality; it appealed to emotions and was indifferent to morality.

1. Appeal to baser instincts——Unlike poetry, drama is staged and the audience experiences it first hand. Pleasing the spectator is the main aim of the dramatist. For this he introduces fights and lamentations in tragedy, and imitations of thunder and cries of beasts in comedy. These arouse the baser instincts of the spectators.

2. Effects of impersonation——Drama has its impact not only on the audience but also on the actors. The actors, who impersonate as evil characters like cowards, knaves, and criminals, let these evil qualities enter into their own nature. At the same time Plato admits that those who act as good characters may imbibe some of the good qualities into their nature. [Plato is hinting at the psychological aspects of drama. However, there is very little evidence that a person who is acting as a villain might become one like that in future or a person who is acting as a hero may become one in real life.]

3. Tragic and Comic pleasure

Plato speaks about the pleasure aroused by tragedy and comedy. He says that human nature is a mixture of different feelings—anger, fear, envy, grief, and others—which afford pleasure when indulged in excess.

Plato believes that no character can be comic unless he is lovable. Plato warns against too frequent indulgence in laughter as it affects seriousness of conduct required to do great deeds.

However, Plato’s explanation of the pleasure gained from tragedy is not fully convincing.

Plato on style

Essentials of a good speech:--

1.  Thorough knowledge of the subject,

2.  Knowledge of the art of speaking,

3.  Logical Flow of thought, and

4. Knowledge of human psychology to get into the feelings of the hearers.

Estimate of Plato as a critic

Plato had a poor opinion on poetry and drama. But he proves to be an astute critic of both. He had a thorough knowledge of the nature, function and method of poetry.

Plato was aware of the difference between the truth of poetry and the truth of life.

Plato was also aware of the pleasure generated by tragedy. He was the first to recognize that all art is imitation or mimesis.

S. Sreekumar—M.Phil students are requested to go through the additional materials which will provide more depth to their answers. There are many points here missing in Blamiers.