Greek Criticism : plato "
7-Write or explain about achievement of Plato?
The value of Plato's criticism and his originality may be summarized as follows:
1-"In his works, appears for the first time the conception of nemesis or imitation as the essential characteristic of all art". Further, he divides the arts into two: (a) the fine arts, and (b)the useful arts.
2-Such imitation he associated with poetry of the highest kind; a process which represented things as they ought to be, and not in their actuality. Thus we find hints in him of poetry being a creative process.
3-Similarly,he makes significant advance in his views on "inspiration". When he regards it as an ecstatic power, a form of spiritual exaltation which sends the soul in quest of ideal beauty. It liberates the soul from the bondage of custom and convention , and carries man nearer to truth.
4-poetry is inspiration, but is also an art, and he breaks new grounds in laying down basic principle for its practice as an art. (a)The artist must take thought ,i.e. he must select and organize his material . (b)He must have knowledge of the rules and techniques of his art .He must follow the law of order and restraint, and (c) study , exercise and learning are essential . Thus the arts can be taught .
5-He emphasizes, for the first time, that organic unity is essential for success in all arts . He compares a work of art to a living organism , having a body, as well as a head and feet, with a middle and extremities, in perfect keeping with one another and the whole. He thus desires not only the unity and completeness that is provided by a suitable beginning , middle and end ,but also a harmonious inter-relation of the different parts.
6-He accepts the traditional 'pity' and 'fear' as the emotions proper to tragedy.
7-As regards the function of poetry ,he is definitely of the view that it is not merely the giving of pleasure ,but the moulding of human character ,the bringing out of the best that is latent in the human soul.
8-He lays down high standards for literary criticism . A critic must have courage , knowledge and wisdom, he must lead the many , and be not led by them . Tastes of the general public cannot determine literary standards.