Plato and Representation

Term Paper # 91495

English > Analysis
English > Argument
Literature > Greek and Roman

An argument against representational poetry in a Republic, based on Plato's "Republic".

977 words () | 1 source | MLA | 2006 Canada

Paper Summary:

This paper analyzes Plato's conception of what representation is and what its role in society is. The paper is a review of the work of Plato, "Republic", in which he works to justify the role of the philosopher-king as the ruler of an ideal state. The paper concludes that representational poetry has no place in the Republic and discusses its negative aspects.

From the Paper:

"The elaborate argument of Plato's Republic works to justify the role of Philosopher-King as ruler in an ideal state. The citizens of this state have "the calibre not to be distracted by prestige, wealth, political power, or even poetry from applying [themselves] to morality," and they must strive towards knowledge of the Ideal and away from the illusions of representation (80). Citizens must embody self-discipline, "obedience to those in authority - and authority over the pleasures of drink, sex, and food" (59). The Guardians of the Republic - those puts in charge of managing the rest of society - have loftier goals: they must be "as godlike themselves as is humanly possible" (56). Plato seeks to develop his Republic through an authoritarian control on what the citizens may be exposed to, and one of society's traditional arts - representational poetry as found in the epics and tragedies of Homer - finds itself threatened."