Poetry in Plato’s view

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Ph.D Student of Persian Language and Literature, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor of Persian Language and Literature, Tehran University, Tehran, Iran (Corresponding Author)

10.22075/jlrs.2025.36158.2563

Abstract

Research on ancient Greek literature and the history of literary theory often refer to and draw heavily from the views of Plato and Aristotle. This analytical approach is common among Persian scholars and translators. In this article, we examine the status of ancient Greek poetry and poets in Plato's works by engaging directly with the primary sources, rather than relying solely on the contemporary secondary analyses. The aim is to shed light on overlooked dimensions of Plato’s critique of poetry and poets, as well as broader aspects of Socratic-Platonic thought. Notably, the concept and definition of “poetry” in Plato’s time differ significantly from modern understandings—a distinction that has received limited attention in both classical and contemporary literary criticism. This article presents a comprehensive historical analysis of Plato’s dialogues and offers a critical review of prior scholarship in the field.

Keywords

References

  • (2002). Aristophanes’ Plays. Translated by Reza Shirmarz. Tehran: Namayesh.
  • (2017). The Frogs. Translated by Reza Shirmarz. 2nd ed. Tehran: Qatreh.
  • Askiilas, Ole Martin. (2014). An Introduction to Philosophy and Literature. Translated by Morteza Naderi Darreshouri. 2nd ed. Tehran: Akhtaran.
  • Amoozeghar, Zhaleh. (2006). Language, Culture, Myth. Tehran: Moein.
  • Chadwick, H. Munro & Cranshaw, N. (1997). The Growth of Literature, Vol. 1: Ancient European Literature. Tehran: Elmi va Farhangi.
  • Fisher, John. (2006). “Platonism and the Philosophy and Literature.” Encyclopedia of the History of Ideas. Tehran: Sa’ad.
  • Halliwell, Stephen. (2009). A Study on Aristotle’s Poetics. Translated by Mehdi Nasrollahzadeh. Tehran: Minou-ye Kherad.
  • (2008). Theogony. Translated by Farideh Farnoodfar. Tehran: University of Tehran.
  • (1999). Iliad. Translated by Saeed Nafisi. 13th ed. Tehran: Elmi va Farhangi.
  • Khorasani, Sharafeddin. (1971). The First Greek Philosophers. Tehran: Jibi Books.
  • Khorasani, Sharafeddin. (2014). From Socrates to Aristotle. 2nd ed. Tehran: Shahid Beheshti University.
  • Petropoulos, John C. B. (2003). “The Views of Homer, Hesiod and Gorgias on Theoretical and Practical Principles of Art.” Translated by Mansour Barahimi. Khial (Quarterly of the Iranian Academy of Arts), 7, pp. 74–101.
  • (1988). Collected Works of Plato. Translated by Mohammad-Hassan Lotfi & Reza Kaviani. 2nd ed. Tehran: Kharazmi.
  • (2011). Four Dialogues. Translated by Mahmoud Sanaei. 7th ed. Tehran: Hermes.
  • (2011). Six Dialogues. Translated by Mohammad-Ali Foroughi. 5th ed. Tehran: Hermes.
  • (2014). Five Dialogues. Translated by Mahmoud Sanaei. 8th ed. Tehran: Hermes.
  • Qaeimi, Farzad. (2008). “Plato and His Dual Theories on Poetry.” Specialized Quarterly of Persian Literature, Islamic Azad University, Mashhad, 19.
  • Schöller, Gregor. (2014). Oral and Written in the Early Islamic Centuries. Translated by Nosrat Neilsaz. 2nd ed. Tehran: Hekmat.
  • Shafi’i Kadkani, Mohammad-Reza. (1996). Imagery in Persian Poetry. 3rd ed. Tehran: Agah.
  • Sharifzadeh, Zolfaghar. (2010). “The Status of Poetry in the Views of Plato and Aristotle.” Persian Language and Literature Research, 19.
  • Shirmarz, Reza (Trans.). See Aristophanes.
  • Shirmarz, Reza (Trans.). See Aristophanes.
  • Snaei, Mahmoud (Trans.). See Plato.
  • Snaei, Mahmoud (Trans.). See Plato.
  • Snaei, Mahmoud (Trans.). See Plato.
  • Yaqer, Werner. (2014). Paideia. Translated by Mohammad-Hassan Lotfi. 2nd ed. Tehran: Kharazmi.
  • Younesi, Ebrahim (Trans.). See Rose, H. J.
  • Zarrinkoub, Abdolhossein. (1982). Literary Criticism. 3rd ed. Tehran: Amir Kabir.
  • Zarrinkoub, Abdolhossein. (2002). Aristotle and the Art of Poetry. 3rd ed. Tehran: Amir Kabir.
  • Zarrinkoub, Abdolhossein (Entry under multiple listings, not duplicated)
Journal Of Linguistic and Rhetorical Studies
Volume 16, Issue 40
In Progress
May 2025
Pages 1-32

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics