Aristotle was a Greek philosopher during the classical period in ancient Greece. He was a disciple of Plato and the teacher of Alexander the Great. Aristotle’s theory of literature can be seen in his book, Poetics. Only part of it has survived. It was not a developed theoretical treatise, and that was in the form of notes for a course. Aristotle’s theory of literature may be considered to be the answer to Plato’s theory of literature. Aristotle’s theory of memises is also considered as an answer to Plato’s theory of imitation.
The term Mimesis is derived from the Greek word, mimeisthai, which means to imitate. Aristotle regarded mimesis or imitation to be one of the distinctive aspects of human nature and it reflects in each work of art. According to Aristotle, the instinct of imitation has existed in man from childhood. One difference between humans and other animals is that he is the most imitative of living creatures. Aristotle believed that there is natural pleasure in imitation. it is this pleasure in imitation that enables the child to learn his earliest lesson in speech and contact with those around him.
Aristotle further says that artist is not lier, but they lead us to the truth. The poet being an imitator, just like a painter or any other artist must imitate one of three objects- things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be. In other words, he imitates what is past or present, what is commonly believed, and what is ideal. Along with this, Aristotle did not agree with his teacher, Plato, who believed that poets’ imitation is twice removed from reality. Aristotle believed that poetry is not twice removed from reality, it is ideal and universal.
According to Aristotle, tragedy is an imitation of certain kinds of people and actions. He gives the most importance to tragedy than any other form of literature. Aristotle says that the purpose of imitation in tragedy is to provide proper pleasure by imitating action. Mimesis of men in action was mimesis of all human life. Through music, the artist imitates anger and mildness as well as courage or temperance and ethical qualities and emotions.