PRESIS: Chalk one up for mimesis

Aristotle brings up the idea of mimesis. He argues that mimesis helps us to be more reflective and sensitive. In poetry, especially when acted out, the viewers are sometimes forced to watch very gruesome acts of violence. "The truth of this second point is shown by experience: though the objects themselves may be painful to see, we delight to view the most realistic representations of them in art, the forms for example of the lowest animans and of dead bodies" (227). Viewers do not run off and scream because they know that it is just an imitation. They understand it is an imitaion of a real act, but at that very point in time just an imitation. Seeing those acts performed can allows for reflection. Reflection into the acts of human violence, its reasoning, and its consequences. Who knew poetry could be so helpful?