What is the use of beauty if it is fleeting? Speaking about the Poets Socrates says “They are like faces which were never really beautiful, but only blooming; and now the bloom of youth has passed away from them” Poems are attractive to read, yet they are easily torn apart because they are mostly based on emotion instead of reason. The Greeks put too much emphasis on their poets and this is why Socrates felt the need to remove them completely form his perfect city. This made me think, do we in America put too much emphasis on media and other sorts of poetry? Do we take them for what they are as a form of art, or are we turning them into a form of reality which we live by? This is when poetry becomes dangerous. I can see why Socrates feels the need to dismiss poetry all together because the Greeks relied on it for the truths of life, but I think a better way would be to put it back in its place, where it is helpful instead of hurtful. If the youth in his new city are taught that poetry is not reality, but the release of emotions at the time, they could use it as they do music to cleanse the soul and even to keep emotions under control. Socrates disapproves of too many emotions; however the guardians could use poetry as a release. Beauty even for just a season still brings joy and this would be a way to keep poetry in Socrates’ city.
Ps. I commented on Rachel's post
Yea, I can also see why Socrates would want to remove poetry from the city. He says that poetry deceives us into sympathizing with those who grieve excessively and who lust inappropriately. I thought that was kinda funny when I read it hehehe. So it does kinda make sense that he would want to remove the poets, so that they don't corrupt the minds of the innocent. But I think if someone is going to become evil after listening to poetry, then I think they have a problem haha.
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