ENGLISH LITERATURE (CBSE/UGC NET)

Detailed explanation-1: -For Aristotle the notion of form was really a part of all matter and the distinction between the form and the actual substance that made up an object was merely an intellectual one. This bears a relation to art because for both Plato and Aristotle art is an imitation of the actual world (Palmer, pp 447-452).

Detailed explanation-2: -According to Plato, art is false knowledge of reality. An artist’s imitation can deceive common people, not the philosopher, who knows the essence of reality or the real being of things.

Detailed explanation-3: -In the Republic, Plato says that art imitates the objects and events of ordinary life. In other words, a work of art is a copy of a copy of a Form. It is even more of an illusion than is ordinary experience. On this theory, works of art are at best entertainment, and at worst a dangerous delusion.

Detailed explanation-4: -Plato has regarded imitation as a general principle of art, as he viewed art itself as an imitation of life. This theory was popular and well accepted during the classical period.

Detailed explanation-5: -According to Plato, all artistic creation is a form of imitation: that which really exists (in the “world of ideas”) is a type created by God; the concrete things man perceives in his existence are shadowy representations of this ideal type.