This document discusses the concept of imitation in literature according to Plato and Aristotle. Plato viewed imitation as being twice removed from reality and saw poetry as a dangerous rival to morality. In contrast, Aristotle gave imitation new significance and saw poetry as one of the fine arts that involves creative vision rather than mere copying. The document also notes that while all art involves imitation, the medium of imitation differs between forms like poetry and painting. It concludes by stating that poetic imitation focuses on portraying people in action that may be better or worse than real life.

1. IMITATION
• The word imitation in Greek is ‘mimesis’
• We cannot make a limitation or boundary to the
word imitation
• The word imitation has a psychological relevance
• All the actions in our life are the results of
imitation
• The word mimicry is derived from the word
mimesis
• We can divide imitation mainly into two as the
imitation of inward and outward activity

2. INWARD AND OUTWARD
• The ideas that we follow are the examples of
inner imitation – Religious ideas and beliefs,
culture based behaviour etc…
• Physically imitated things are the examples of
outward imitation –Hair styles, dressing codes
etc…

3. IMITATION IN LITERATURE
• In literature, the word imitation is firstly
defined by Plato (He is the mentor of
Aristotle). Aristotle then took the term
‘imitation’ and gave new dimensions and
significance to the term .

4. PLATO’S IDEA OF IMITATION
• Plato divides arts into useful arts like
medicine and agriculture and imitative arts
like poetry and drama.
• IDEA was the truth or reality and the world is
mere representation of reality.(imitation of
reality)
• The objects before us are the imitation of
reality.

5. • Poetry is the imitation of appearances,
which are already the imitation of reality.
•Poetry is twice removed from reality or
truth. It is the shadow of shadows or the
mother of lies.
•Imagination is the other name of imitation.
•Poetry becomes a dangerous rival to
morality.
•Milton’s epic poem ‘The Paradise Lost’.

6. ARISTOTLE’S CONCEPT OF IMITATION
• Aristotle gave new dimension and significance to the
term imitation, which removed the sense of inferiority
attached to it by Plato.
• Aristotle doesn’t pay more attention to morality like
Plato in poetic imitation.
• Poetry is one of the fine arts.
• Poetry is the reproduction in accordance with the
poet’s idea.
• Poetry is not a mere copying but an act of creative
vision.
• Through imitation, the poet can make something out of
the real and actual.

7. MEDIUM OF IMITATION
• All art is a type of imitation, but there are
differences in the medium of imitation. Poetry
and painting are imitations, but the medium
of poet and painter are different. The medium
of painter is colour and form and the medium
of poet is rhythm and harmony.

8. OBJECTS OF POETIC IMITATION
• The objects of poetic imitation are men in
action. These men may be either better or
lower than the average men in real life. Thus,
imitation in poetry is clearly distinct from
photographic representation. It involves
creative imagination and the intellectual faulty
of the poet. Tragedy and epic deal with men
better than men in real life. Comedy and satire
deal with men worse or lower than men in
real life.
THE END