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Question:

Why does Plato hate poets and poetry?

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4 months ago
Plato denies entry to poets in his ideal state in The Republic until they can prove their value. In the Ion, Plato famously portrays poets as possessed:

You know, none of the epic poets, if they're good, are masters of their subject; they are inspired, possessed, and that is how they utter all those beautiful poems. The same goes for lyric poets if they're good: just as the Corybantes are not in their right minds when they dance, lyric poets, too, are not in their right minds when they make those beautiful lyrics, but as soon as they sail into harmony and rhythm they are possessed by Bacchic frenzy." (Plato Ion, 533e-534a)

4 months ago
you have a point, evidently plato uses approving language (beautiful language, beuatiful music etc.) , a backhanded compliment? inadvertent praise? freudian slip? who knows.


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:

I think often people resist the very thing needed to balance themselves...(opposites attract)still like magnets...they will be drawn one toward the other! In my opinion-Plato was a poet!