Aristotle Poetics

The types of imitation Aristotle identifies in poetry and tragedy are the imitations of what is described in the reading “actions of good men” ( higher type). He describes these actions as in Higher and Lower classes of poetry. The other form of imitation is that of the act of (Lower type) of action. Aristotle then explains that this leads to two directions poetry leads into such as the evolution of poetry. The types of action found in poetry and tragedy are those found in higher types of that form of imitation. Lower form of imitation can be connected to the imitation of comedy. 

I believe Aristotle does have a positive sense of the role of imitation of art because when he talks about the evolution of poetry and the two forms of imitation, he describes”the instinct of imitation is described in man”. This just shows how he interprets the imitation connected to man throughout life. Aristotle then states men are able to see what is being imitated in the art and be part of the imitation and what is found.

I believe Aristotle’s understanding of art can be used in many ways such as the imitation of art and seeing the natural ways it could be made. His knowledge of art can help others understand in a less delusional way other than Plato’s way of expressing artists ways of imitations of art. Aristotle’s point of view about art is that men see a sort of completion with art instead of corruption. Aristotle meaning of this is (Catharsis) and this means the purification of the baser parts. The pity of his examples are to feel sympathy for what we are looking at and what forms it comes in. The fear part of catharsis is to put ourselves in their shoes and share the same feeling. He explains how we do not get more confused but we use this knowledge of imitation to see different ideas of thinking. Aristotle’s way of breaking down the imitation of art shows us what he has done to find the importance of art. He has a clear way of explaining art and a wrong way of thinking by describing a painter who paints randomly but with beautiful colors. This just shows how he interprets the imitation of art.

word count:382