The Republic: Book X

Socrates reverts to the discussion which had first taken place in Books II & III of poetry’s place in this ideal community. Socrates argues that he was right in banishing (bad) mimetic poetry, and explains to Glaucon his reasons for doing so. The harmful effects of poetry on the human mind, in so far as it draws one away from the ultimate reality, are illustrated by means of the art of painting. Socrates says that there is only one essential or ideal bed, the form of which is behind the carpenter’s material bed, and it is this material bed that the painter represents in his painting. The painter’s bed is twice-removed from reality. Similarly, poetic representation is also twice-removed from the real world of forms.

Next, Socrates points out that Homer, the greatest of poets, was not of much use to his country. While Italy and Sicily remember Charondas as their reformer and Athenians name Solon in this respect, no community or country can refer to Homer as a good advice-giver or governor. Unlike Pythagoras, Homer had not even been applauded for being a good teacher. The only skills that Homer possessed were representational skills. With this example of Homer, Plato launches his attack on poetry.

The poet is described as ignorant, without any real knowledge of what he is representing. He is not even armed to differentiate between the good and bad of what is being represented. Moreover, he will continue to represent the bad aspect of things just because his audience demands it. Painting or poetry is not only twice-removed from the truth; its appeal is also to that part of the human mind which is not reasonable.

In difficult situations, a human being is expected to not give into his emotions and to deal with problems bravely. While one part of his mind gets emotional or scared, the other reasonable part of his mind wants to overcome the problems. The poet, however, is only concerned with that part of the human mind which is petulant because it is there that he has any appeal for his audience.

The worst aspect of mimetic poetry is that it corrupts even a good human being. When Homer shows his hero breaking down in the face of disaster, the audience does derive a kind of pleasure, but the same audience would not want to break down in case of disaster in their lives but rather face it bravely. But in the process of enjoying mimetic poetry, the audience may give in to that part of his mind which is emotional – he will loosen his guard over rationality.

Socrates concludes this discussion on poetry by saying that a human being will be best rewarded if he detaches himself from poetry, power and wealth, which detract from the truth, and applies himself to morality.

Before ending the discussion on morality, Socrates claims that the human mind is immortal. Glaucon is surprised by this statement, and Socrates puts forward his explanation. He argues that the body can be damaged by disease or illness, and any given object can be destroyed because of its specific illness or what is harmful for it. But vice, the peculiar evil of the mind, cannot ensure the literal perishing of the mind. Since the mind is not destroyed by its own affliction, and as it can’t be destroyed by the body’s affliction or any other affliction, it is immortal.

Socrates further asserts that immoral people might win the race of life towards the beginning but towards the end they are jeered because of their shortcomings and vices. But a moral person is a winner all throughout his life and is appreciated by the community at large.

Finally, the Republic concludes by recounting the myth of Er who, apparently slain in battle, entered the afterlife. Er saw how the moral are rewarded and the immoral are punished severely in life-after-death. Judges sitting at the opening of two gates, one of heaven and the other of the dark underworld, decide which man is fit to take which path. After several days of journey Er and the other souls reach the spindle of Necessity where apart from Er, each soul is given a token according to which he or she can choose his next life on earth. Wise men like Orpheus choose the life of a swan while the bitter Agamemnon prefers to be an eagle. Finally the souls become oblivious after drinking water from the River of Neglect and then return to earth to be reborn. Er comes back to life just as his funeral is about to take place, and recounts this vision of death.

Socrates tells Glaucon that it is important to regard the soul as immortal and to always follow the path of morality. This is the best way to please the Gods and have a rewarding life.

- Shreya Sarkar (PG II)