Plato’s republic: The relationship between imitation in art and in actual conduct

Mimesis, translated as “imitation,” is the process by which a poet, artist, or imitator incorporates chosen features of an original into his or her own work (mimema) in such a way that the work has a greater effect, which the guardians, who are the leaders of tomorrow, are likely to copy. Plato illustrates that mimesis is an emulation of the natural world. This paper discusses Plato’s views on imitation in both art and actual human conduct, while attempting to find the relationship between the two forms of imitation. Specifically, it will examine the similarities and differences between these two types of imitation. The paper concludes that imitation is dangerous when a poet falsifies his or her art, but is beneficial when the poet truly depicts the gods and the heroes who have a significant influence on guardians.