Plato's Approach To The Essence Of Literature

Plato is one of the most important founders of western literature theory that he contemplates deeply and forms his own uniqe understanding. He divides poetry into two categories: imitation poetry and inspiration poetry. Accordingly, he separates poetry from fine arts and asserts that the real poetry is inspirtation poetry that is the product of the poet on behalf of the divinity. Fine arts is only artificial imitation. Therefore, poetry is superior to fine arts.Plato put inspirtation into four categories: inspiration of prediction, inspiration of religion, inspiration of poetry, inspiration of love. Their shared feature is fanaticism. He believes aspiration of poetry comes form Muse and its distinctive characteristic is transitivity that makes inspiration of poetry different form other inspirtations. Some domestic researchers believe that Plato ,s aspirtation also comes form recollection. This is surely a misunderstanding. Actually only fanatic of love related with memory ,which is resulted form the reflection on beauty itself. However,inspiration of poetry is only simulated by Muse not by recollection.Idea is the basis of Plato,s philosophy and goodness is also embraced within the system of idea . For plato idea is the unutterable reality. The outside world is only shadow or copy of the idea, which is changeable and illusory. Furthermore,art is an imitation of the outside world . From the perspective of idea, Plato sets the goal of literature as pursuing reason. Poetry of inspiration conveys truth and is created by poets on behalf of deity. On the contrary, imitated poetry is nothing more than a copy of a copy, imitation of the imitation, so he gives standards to imitation poetry in terms of content, form and subject matter in order to satisfy the political needs of the republic. But, on the other hand he believes that the process of literary creation is irrational. Poets of inspiration lose reason because of Muse but poets of imitation lose reason , for they lack of knowledge or even correct insights. Poets of inspiration create literary works through the divine power whereas poets of imitation through linguistic talent, knowledge and practice.Not only in extension but also in profusion Plato lies down the foundation of western literature and many influential theorists have indebted to his philosophy.