Three Thinkers and One Objective

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The philosophical inquiry into ‘literature’ is as old as Aristotle and Plato. In a broad sense, most of the following approaches in the literary theory are a reaction or an extension of the views of these prominent Greek philosophers. One of the well-known reactions in the sixteenth century to the classical theory, founded by Plato and Aristotle, comes from Philip Sidney. In one of his seminal essays, entitled “Apology for Poetry”, Sidney shows his support to Aristotle’s theory while being critical to Plato’s stubborn views on ‘literature’. Indeed, a quick reading of some of their writings reveals both similarities and differences in their representation of reality, their views on historians and philosophers, and their appreciation of poetry.

Mimesis, or the representation of reality, is a common ground among the three thinkers. All of them claim that literary texts transcribe reality. For Plato, “ the real artist would be interested in realities.” He tries to imitate what he sees , hears and feels. But this artist is thrice removed from the truth. He fulfills such imitation of reality without being able to understand it. So, the poet gives an imitation of an imitation because the actual world is just an imitation. In a like manner, Aristotle’s specification of ‘ poesis’ is based upon its mimetic quality. He affirms that all poetic forms, such as epic, tragic and comic, contain some ‘truth’ about the world. In his Poetics, he contends” Art imitates nature.”In fact, he strongly believes that art means something better than reality. It offers images of the real world and it helps man’s working on the probable and the possible. In the sixteenth century, Sir Philip Sidney’s view support Aristotle’s. He confirms that poetry is an art of imitation. According to Sidney, the poet’s talents “stem from the fact that he is able to create from a pre-existing idea called the fore-conceit.” The poet participate heavily in the divine act of creation. Like Plato, he belives that the poet is a creator; he is inspired by muse. Similarities and differences are clear in their view of mimesis.

Their views on history and philosophy show obvious parallels and also striking differences. Plato emphasizes the importance of historians and philosophers because they are the ones who guard the young generations. Unsurprisingly, he gives them a special place in his ideal city. By contrast, history is negated in Aristotle’s theory. It is less important than poetry because it does not deal with the universal. History, according to Aristotle, deals with the particulars and acts as a boring-fact recorder that gives no room for imagination. In sharp contrast to the rational severity of Plato, philosophy for Aristotle is based on empiricism, that is, it deals with senses and experiences. Sidney, the great English poet and courtier, supports Aristotle’s views. In a similar fashion, he discounts historians because of “their old mouse-eaten records”. In his interesting essay, “ Apology for Poetry”, he states:

“ The historian, wanting the percept, is so tied, not to what should be but to what is, to the particular truth of things, and not to the general reason of things, that his example draweth no necessary consequence, and therefore a less fruitful doctrine.”

Along with his exclusion of history, Sidney views philosophy negatively. Philosophers’ texts, he claims, are replete with thorny arguments that are “so hard of utterance and so misty to be conceived.” The views of these three thinkers on history and philosophy are, indeed, linked to their conception of poetry.

A quick investigation of the value of poetry in their writings yields several points of agreement as well as some divergences. Plato’s main concern in his famous book, Republic, is to establish his own ideal city with law-abiding citizens. He excludes the poets in this city on the ground that they raise passions and feelings in their writings. They will thus disorient the young generation who are supposed to be obedient and well educated. Plato points out:

“ He (the poet) awakens and nourishes and strengthens the feelings and impairs the reasons.”

The second objection of Plato to poetry relates to the issue of morality. Poets, to Plato, are the source of immoral and unhealthy behaviors. The citizens of the ideal city are in need of good conduct and morally enlightened environment. The first direct retort to Plato’s theory comes from Aristotle. The latter, though he has never claimed that Plato is wrong, foregrounds the importance of poetry in a society. It has some truth and it gives both pleasure and knowledge to the masses. During Renaissance, Sidney’s view espouses Aristotelian theory. In his essay, “Apology for Poetry”, he defends the imaginative process of poets and confirms that poetry both teaches and delights. The poet, “the least liar”, teaches virtue and moves people to take good actions.

Plato, Aristotle and Sidney are highly respected thinkers, whose ideas are adapted or adopted by different theorists and critics. They will definitely continue to influence contemporary approaches and movements for years to come. Their views on history , philosophy and literature ( poesis) show similarities and differences. But the underlying objective behind their views is the manipulation and education of people; the ultimate aim indeed is to build good character and virtuous behavior. For Plato, this is done through philosophy and history; but, for Aristotle and Sidney, it is the affective power of literature and its rhetoric that will stop people from carping and going against the grain.