Aristotle’s Mimesis or Creative Imitation

Abstract

The present paper explores in totality the Mimetic or Creative imitative power in creative writers and visual painters. Giving a befitting reply to his master, Plato condemned poets and painters on the grounds that they lack originality. They are mere imitators and their creation is thrice removed from truth and reality. Aristotle in his magnum opus, Poetics, starts with this mimesis thing and goes at length telling that Mimesis or Imitation is central to existence. We human beings are better developed than brute beasts primarily because we have the highest imitating power. Plato and Aristotle both take into consideration the poets. Plato criticizing him and Aristotle accolade him on grounds on mimetic arts. As it delves deeper into the idea it explores that besides imitation, it is instinctual in nature and the other instinct is for rhythm and harmony. Persons endowed with these two natural gifts ultimately give rise to poetry. Poetry after its birth diverged into two directions the graver spirits imitated the lives of nobler men and trivial ones the actions of meaner men. Thus was born tragedy and comedy.