Plato linked poetry to painting. Aristotle linked it to music. Analyse critically.
Plato linked poetry to painting. Aristotle linked it to music. According to Plato, poetry imitates only superficial appearances, as does a painter. According to Aristotle poetry imitates not only the externals but also internal emotions and experiences.
In Aristotle's view, it is the principle of imitation which unites poetry with the other fine arts. Imitation is the common basis of all the fine arts, and it is this fact of imitation which differentiates the fine arts from the other category of arts -the useful arts, while Plato has equated poetry with painting, Aristotle equates it with music.
It no longer remains a mere servile representation of the surface or the appearance of things, but in his theory, it becomes the representation of the passions and emotions of men, which are also imitated by music. Butcher points out, that human actions are prompted by passions, and forces at work within, and to imitate, men in action is also an imitation. of those determining factors.
Hence, the poem imitates not the surface of things, but the higher reality embedded within. As these are also the objects of imitation of music, poetry has close affinities with music. It is a mistake to compare poetry with painting as Plato did. According to Aristotle, poetry and other fine arts are modes of imitation. These include epic poetry, comedy, tragedy, dancing and music. As far as the means of poetry is concerned, Plato compares poetry with painting.
But Aristotle compares it with music. This is, because, according to Aristotle, the medium of the poet and that of the painter are different. One imitates through form and colour, the other through language, rhythm and harmony. In this respect, the musician is nearer to the poet than the painter. The Musician like the poet imitates through rhythm and harmony.
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