Summary of Foreign Literary and Art Aesthetics · Doctrine · Theory of Inspiration
It began with Plato in ancient Greece. Inspiration is a unique and intoxicating state of mind of the artist during the creative process, which is the "ecstasy" state mentioned by Plato. This state is an objective phenomenon that exists in the creative process. People have recognized this phenomenon and its role very early. Democritus of ancient Greece said: "Without a kind of spiritual fire, without a kind of crazy inspiration, one cannot become a great poet." The question is how to understand the essence and source of this phenomenon. Plato believes that to obtain inspiration is to "lose ordinary reason and fall into madness", that is, to lose one's nature; and the first source of inspiration is the gift of the gods: "All good poets, whether in epics or lyric poems, do not rely on their skills. to compose their beautiful poems, but because they are inspired and possessed by divine power.” The second is due to the memories brought by the immortal soul from previous lives.
Plato’s theory of inspiration has a mysterious nature, and it emphasizes the irrationality of literature and art. This view later had a long-term harmful influence in the West and became a theoretical pillar of various anti-rationalisms in art. Plato's theory of inspiration also has its positive factors. It highlighted the role of inspiration in artistic creation for the first time and pointed out that without inspiration, there would be no real artistic creation. This prompted people to conduct further scientific exploration of this special psychological phenomenon that exists objectively and comes and goes without a trace.
On the issue of inspiration, Hegel believed that neither sensory stimulation nor pure will and determination can cause real inspiration. To stir up real inspiration, there should first be a clear content in front of you, that is, content that the imagination captures and is to be expressed artistically. Therefore, the impetus for creation can be entirely external, and the only important requirement is that the artist should capture something of true artistic significance from the external materials and make the object a living thing in his mind. Under such circumstances, the inspiration of genius will come unexpectedly. Inspiration is the state of being completely immersed in a theme and never giving up until it is expressed as a complete artistic image.
Marxist aesthetics inherits all positive and progressive views in the history of aesthetics, and recognizes the great role of inspiration and inspiration; it believes that inspiration is a sudden manifestation due to highly concentrated thoughts and excited emotions in artistic and scientific activities. out the creative ability. Once a creator obtains inspiration, all his creative power will be in a sublimated state, his creative labor will be particularly efficient, and the important links he has explored for a long time in his creative activities will be connected. A serious and diligent work attitude and responsible spirit, rich practical experience and knowledge accumulation, profound artistic accomplishment and mastery of artistic skills are the prerequisites for obtaining inspiration.