“The poet, being an imitator like a painter or any other artist, must of necessity imitate one of three objects – things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be. The vehicle of expression is language – either current terms or, it may be, rare words or metaphors.”
- 384 BC – 322 BC
- Originating from Macedonia in ancient Greece
- Philosopher and scientist, founder of the Lyceum academy
- A student of Plato, he constructed systematic knowledge in logic, biology, politics, ethics, etc., and had a major impact on the development of Western thought and science
Quote
“The poet, being an imitator like a painter or any other artist, must of necessity imitate one of three objects – things as they were or are, things as they are said or thought to be, or things as they ought to be. The vehicle of expression is language – either current terms or, it may be, rare words or metaphors.”
Explanation
In this quote, Aristotle outlines the nature of poetry and the role of the poet as an imitator of the world. Like other artists, the poet is not simply creating something entirely new but is imitating reality in one of three ways: 1) Imitating things as they were or are, representing the world as it actually exists; 2) Imitating things as they are said or thought to be, reflecting perceptions, rumors, or common beliefs; and 3) Imitating things as they ought to be, portraying an idealized or moral vision of what the world should look like, often expressing virtue or justice. This distinction helps define different genres of poetry, from epic narratives that reflect actual history or myth, to tragedies and comedies that often explore how things should be or the potential for human improvement.
The “vehicle of expression” that poets use is language—the tool they manipulate to convey their vision. Poets may use ordinary language, which is accessible to all, or they may choose rare words, elevated vocabulary, or metaphors to enrich their expression and deepen the emotional or intellectual impact of their work.
This concept continues to shape our understanding of poetry and artistic creation today. Poetry can serve many purposes, from reflecting the world as it is, to challenging perceptions of what the world is thought to be, or offering a vision of how it should be. For example, a poet who writes about social injustice might be imitating how the world ought to be, conveying a vision of fairness and equality. In contrast, a poet describing the natural world might be imitating things as they are, capturing the beauty of nature as it exists in reality.
Aristotle’s framework remains essential for understanding the function and purpose of literature and the arts. The role of the artist—whether poet, painter, or sculptor—is to interpret reality in a way that communicates deeper truths, moral lessons, or visions of improvement through the vehicle of language or medium of their choice.
