Using the ideas on Literature by Plato and Aristotle, identify four main points by each of these classical theorists. Use these eight points to discuss the relevance of literary theory to literature studies.

Using the ideas on Literature by Plato and Aristotle, identify four main points by each of these classical theorists. Use these eight points to discuss the relevance of literary theory to literature studies.

 Literary theory refers to the body of ideas and the methods that we use in the practical reading of Literature. Literary theory mainly relates to the arguments that reveal what Literature can mean as well as the roles of Literature in society. It also describes the various underlying principles or tools by which people attempt to understand Literature. Literary theory formulates the relationship between an author and his or her work thus helping in developing the significance of race, class and gender for literary study. Literature theory is, therefore, crucial in the review of Literature as it equips Literature with basic and essential materials. On the contrary, literature materials can also affect the society both positively and negatively. This controversy on the effects of Literature in the community created differences between the great philosophers Plato and Aristotle.

Considering the Platonic view of Literature, Plato argues that Literature has adverse effects on individuals and society. Plato, on literary analysis, argues that poetry inspires and promotes undesirable emotions in the community and therefore, should be censored from adults and especially children for fear of lasting disadvantageous consequences. He says that Art as a whole, Literature included, is fundamentally deceptive and potentially dangerous. Its whole aim is to deceive.  He further explains that children cannot know the kind of emotions that should be tempered and those that should be expressed. Plato, therefore, explains that children must not be told about the scary stories and horror tales because these materials stimulate strong negative deep emotions that make children develop fear and lose courage in their lives.  On the other extreme, Literature that strongly inspires laughter triggers a strong emotional response that is detrimental. Plato, therefore, argues that people should avoid strong emotions in fear of them spiraling out of control and creating irreparable damage. Plato also believes that the use of some standard techniques in drams such as quarrels, lamentations, and animal sounds is a shame in our ordinary life, and such play should be censored.

The Aristotelian view of Literature, however, differs from that of Plato. Aristotle argues from the inductive essay format. He perceives that Literature has sufficient and appropriate ways of conveying information and integral in the process of learning among children. Aristotle further argues that the literary representations are pleasurable since they impart beneficial knowledge to any form of fear.  Aristotle believed that Literature enhances teaching because the information is portrayed objectively to convey the right meaning without necessarily stimulating negative feelings in the learners.

Plato and Aristotle’s literary theories of Literature have significant and relevant roles to the study of Literature. Plato’s literary theories, for example, when it comes to ethics, explains the importance of having an ethical society where appropriate Literature is taught ti the relevant people considering both ages, gender among other components. Plato argues that we have a moral duty to use reason to pursue the knowledge of forms. He also explains the importance and realms of ways and explains that the domains of types contain both the truth and the essential moral ideas like the good. We are also made to believe that Literature is removed from reality. This is because Plato believed that Literature, more so poetry was mimetic; thus, poetry was an imitation of the truth.

The Aristotelian literary theories are also important in the study of Literature as it since Aristotle strongly believed that Literature enhances teaching because the information is portrayed objectively to convey the right meaning without creating negative feelings in the learners. He also thought that Literature had effects in the society in mainly in two ways. Firstly,  the outcome results from actively reading. In contrast, the other way, the effect results from passive observation, but all of them stimulate our emotions and minds hence attain different conceptions of morality and ethics.

In conclusion, critical analysis of the contents of Literature reveals that there are numerous and natural adverse effects that would have detrimental consequences to the children. Careful selections should, therefore, be made on the literary materials that are given to the learners considering the age of the learners and the contents of the materials. The contradicting arguments of Plato and Aristotle have revealed the various importance of Literature in shaping the lives of multiple individuals and the future of society.