Plato introduces the theory of imitation, which argues that art and literature are imitations of nature rather than reflections of truth or reality. According to Plato's theory, a painter's depiction of a chair is twice removed from the truth since it is an imitation of the carpenter's physical chair, which itself is an imitation of the ideal "chair" form. Plato believed that literature could misguide society and corrupt youth, and thus wanted to ban poets from his republic. However, the conclusion is that while Plato makes a valid point about imitation, poetry is not inherently harmful.

1. THEORY OF
IMITATION
:- BY PLATO

2. “The right function of art is to put before the soul
the images what is instrinsically great and
beautiful.”-Plato

3. INTRODUCTION
 Plato was a great Greek critic of
literature, philosopher, thinker, educatio
nalist.
 He was also a fine literary stylist and
great story teller.
 He introduce “theory of imitation ‘’

4.  According to him, the nature is only true and
other materials are imitation or copy of the
truth.
 So literature and poetry are not true it’s
imitation of nature.

5.  He gives an example of a carpenter and a chair
to understand theory of imitation.

6.  The idea of ‘chair’ first came in the mind on
carpenter.
 He gave physical shape to his idea out of wood
and created a chair.
 The painter imitated the chair of carpenter.
 Thus, painter chair is twice to remove from
reality.

7.  Literature is harmful to the society and
misguide the people of country and spoil the
youth.
 Plato also against poetry. He wanted to
banish poets from the country because he
believed that poetry spoil the young mind.

8. CONCLUSION
 Plato is a great critic and his view of
imitation is true at some point but the
poetry is not harmful to the society.
 So, the view of Plato should not
followed in literature.