Summary of the reasons for the poet’s exile:
(1) Theoretical basis
In Plato’s mind, there are three worlds: the ideal world, the real world and the art world . The "ideal world" is eternal, transcends time and space, and is independent of the real world. It is the prototype and the goal of all things. The "real world" is composed of individual things with sensory perception. It is an imitation of the ideal world and a shadow or copy of the ideal world. The "art world" is dependent on the real world and is the shadow of the shadow of the ideal world. Therefore, the poet is only a maker of images and has not grasped the truth. The poet is untrue and a poor imitator.
(2) Reasons for derivation
As a thinker, Plato raised questions that covered almost all aspects of literary theory. As a political commentator, Plato always thought about literature and art for him. serve political ideals. He saw the divine side of the poet, but despised the truth of poetry; he knew the special charm of poetry, but only wanted to strictly limit this charm to practical uses like craftsmen and craftsmen; he wanted to use the poet to serve as a The city-state provided educational services, but it had to strictly review poetry, and those who failed to meet the standards had to be expelled from the country.
Plato emphasized virtue and despised the poet's irrationality and lack of restraint and catharsis. Poetry values ??the easily emotional and changeable character, because it is easier to imitate than the rational part of human nature. The poet's works have little value for truth and cater to the inferior part of human nature, so the poet should be refused entry into a politically enlightened country, because it cultivates and develops the inferior part of human nature and destroys the rational part. "The imitation poet does this to the human heart. He sows evil causes, caters to the irrational part of the human heart, and creates some images that are far from the truth." Imitation of poets makes people lose their rationality, which is the main reason why Plato wants to expel poets.