The attitude of Plato towards poetry and poets raised a lot of debate, notoriety and controversy among scholars. The scholars have found it difficult to identify the main important role or the essence of poetry in the Laws and the cities of the Republic, Callipolis and Magnesia. The arguments of Plato gives both the positive and negative analysis of poetry and how they influence social order in the society. In Plato’s arguments, they are given the right to practice and participate in their profession like the rest of other citizens in the two cities. He also argued that the poets be given time to exercise their expertise in a more constructive manner so as to avoid chances of disrupting the social order and laws of the Republic (Plato, 2012). He argues that the poets should use their expertise in transforming the ideal cities in order to portray a practical approach of life.
Plato also argues that the imitative poems should be eliminated because they does not give moral lessons to the people. These kind of poems leads to political interference in the city which may in turn cause social disorder. The opinions are therefore imitated and no new knowledge is introduced to the people. These poets should therefore be eliminated so as to reduce levels of ignorance in city. These poets only touch the souls of the people in the city but they leave no impact on their lives. There is no source of inspiration in relation to these poets making them less sensible.
Plato also argues that some of the poets use trickery and, insincerity, deception and trickery. This therefore made Plato to be dramatic and fearful about poetry. He therefore claims that these kind of poems can corrupt the good men due the high notion of deception. Plato also argues that some poets have produced a lot of good works and songs but other have also produced a lot of rubbish which is not educative to the public (Plato, 2012). His arguments shows that some poets resent works which are against the social norms and some of them are harmful to the audience who were the people in the two cities.
Nochlin provided arguments relating to why there have been no great women artists. Her arguments also provided a platform for Plato’s arguments especially on matters pertaining to the poor art skills as well as lack of credible message to the audience or listeners of the poems. The arguments for poor women artists by Nochlin provides arguments are related to the Plato’s ideas in relation to poets’ criticism. The lack of credible content in the poems translates to the same problem in the women failing to become good artists. The arguments by both Plato and Nochlin gives the same ideas in that they both claim the distortion of moral virtues and social order by the imitated works of art. The two authors there therefore critically analyze the limitations of the poorly organized works of art. They argue that the social norms and justice are negatively affected by such works of art.
In conclusion, the arguments of Plato have critically analyzed the poems in the two cities in a manner that suggest the need eliminate some of the poems which has a negative impact on the society. The arguments of Plato are advancing the practicality of the works of art. The arguments are therefore essential in order to discourage the poets who use trickery and deception in their works. The arguments are also relevant in order to ensure social order in the society.
Works Cited
Nochlin, Linda. "why Have There Been No Great Women Artists?". N.p., n.d.. Print.
Plato, and C J. Rowe. Republic. London: Penguin, 2012. Print.
