Plato vs Aristotle Essay

Theatre is said to be a per stageing art that is al itinerarys changing and whose every performance is unique (Downs 472). magic spell there is a set definition of theatre, there hasnt been a set reason as to why we do theatre, and many people such(prenominal) as Aristotle and Plato have come to a disagreement as to what that very nature is. However as a Christian I would have to put forward that I disagree with the philosophy of Plato and do believe that theatre helps open the mind of the viewers to see the world through a whole incompatible lens.Plato argues that theatre should yet be anyowed if we ensure that it contains only characters that atomic number 18 suitable as situation models, because it manipulates the look people think and make them forget who they argon (Downs 6-7). However I believe that Plato really didnt want viewers to see the world as it really was. Its like Plato along with those who installed these beliefs in him wanted us to see a picture perfect worl d that didnt really exist. The sad thing is that to some extent the government allay control the way we view things through other entertainment. Platos view reminds me of the Christian nature.Take North Central and all their rules, for example. Students may non tap or attend any event that serves alcohol, students are not permitted to visit any other students of the opposite sex outside of visitation hours, students are only permitted to watch movies rated PG 13 on campus, students arent allowed any piercings but ears and nose and if they have any others, it shall be removed, they are only allowed to potpourri their hair to native colors, and the restrictions of certain websites such as Victoria secret etc, during internet usage (NCU Student Guide).Its like they are telling us that we can designate ourselves in however we choose to, but at the same time place a line up as to how far we can go and choices as to the only ways we can express ourselves, afraid that how we dress, what we watch, listen to and do is going to stop us from being Christians. But no payoff how many rules there are, North Central cant become this picture perfect place, they cant hide how life really is and form us into something we are not.I understand that they want to protect us and do whats best. However hiding how things really are by putting us into a shell only makes things more complicated in the end. According to Websters dictionary, a purpose-model is a person whose behavior in a particular role is imitated by others (Webster Online). Plato said that theatre should only be allowed if they have characters that are role models (Downs 7), but who determines what or who a good role model is? A role model isnt just one particular type of person.A role model can come in many different forms. Most people look for role models who have been through what they have been through, and overcame obstacles they faced in life that the particular imitator is inactive trying to overcome. Besides, if Plato suggests that characters act as role models to be able to be in theatre does that mean he didnt mind if they werent role models off stage? Aristotle said nature tends towards perfection, but doesnt always attain it. We tend to be healthy but become sick, we tend to be non-violent but theres war, we tend toward love but there is hate. Therefore, we choose art and theatre to correct the deficiencies of nature by clarifying, interpreting, and idealizing life (Downs 7). I feel like this is true in so many ways, We tend to try to be perfect in everything that we do that it has in a way became our human nature. There isnt a need to be perfect, and as a Christian we all know that nobody is and will ever be perfect accept for God.We are all going to make mistakes in everything that we do, but instead of trying to cover up those mistakes, to cover up the flaws in our society to make it seem like we have a this perfect world, why not take the time to learn from them. Theatr e gives us the outlook to view our world from a different perspective and open our minds to changing the way we go about things and the way we think. Not necessarily in a negative way but a positive way. I dont think theatre is there to corrupt our minds and make us change who we are completely, but just help us expand on our outlook on life.We go on in life looking at the world as we are and as we see it and get caught up into our on daily lives and think that we are in so much need that we tend to forget those that are in greater need right in front of us. We get so carried away that everyone in a spot I have to even stop myself and ask God to help me see things through his perspective and not my own, otherwise majority of time we discharge out on whats important the most. In the bible, 1 Corinthians 922 it states, To the weak I became weak, to win the weak.I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some (NIV Bible). Theatre is there to be come what we are in a since, to hopefully reach us at our own level to save us from becoming worse than we are today. Although theatre is not the only thing that shapes us, it is one of the many aspects of life that can help us mode us into who we are, what we do, and how we thing. After I believe God gave us all our individual gifts to become like others so that we are able to be a witness to them and share his message in a way that others will understand.Work Cited Dictionary and Thesaurus Merriam-Webster Online. Web. 26 Jan. 2011. . Downs, Williams M. , Lou A. Wright, and Erik Ramsey. The Art of Theatre Then and Now. 2nd ed. capital of Massachusetts Rosenberg, 2010. Print. Downs, Williams M. , Lou A. Wright, and Erik Ramsey. The Art of Theatre Then and Now. 2nd ed. Boston Rosenberg, 2010. Print. Holy Bible. Grand Rapids, MI Zondervan, 2007. Print. Student Guide, North Central University, 2010. Print.