- Early Greek poets were aware of their ability to craft narratives and were described as "makers" of their poems, rather than just instruments of the gods. Poetry was seen as having the power to persuade and arouse emotions in listeners. - Plato was intensely engaged with poetry but ultimately hostile to it in The Republic due to its ability to appeal to emotions and pleasures rather than reason. He viewed poetry as worthless imitation. - Aristotle's Poetics established poetry as an independent art with its own logic and principles. Unlike Plato, he saw poetry as based on rational skill and believed its imitation and arousal of emotions could benefit learning.