The view that Aristotle had on the concept of art is opposite of what Plato said. Plato who taught that art is useless and potentially dangerous. Aristotle did not agree that he believed that art is not dangerous or useless. The word mimesis is derived from the Greek meaning imitation. By applying mimesis to art, implies that art, in its many forms, is merely a replication to something that already exists according to Plato.
Aristotle believed that Mimesis is not an imitation but more on the lines of representing or liking something. Mimesis is a topic that involves brains and a different perspective on things. Art requires the ability to use ones imagination and intellect. Aristotle implies that mimesis implies that humans can use reason and that humans learn through art which allows the ability to create.
Plato believed that the arts intrigued the passion in people, but Aristotle embraced this through tragedies. Aristotle primarily looked at tragedy as a mimesis as it is an action that is pretty serious. The action should be complete and have an effect in the audience. Tragedy brings catharsis through the emotions portrayed by the tragedy. Catharsis means cleansing or purification in Greek.
I chose this scene from Gridiron Gang to show Aristotle’s Catharsis theory because it brings the in the perfect feeling of fear and pity.
Just a quick summary of the movie and the scene above. The movie is about a juvenile detention center in LA that forms a football team. The kids all are coming from a different background. And Coach Porter ( Dwayne Johnson) has the task of teaching them how to work together and put their differences aside and come together as a team.
In the video above one of the main characters Willie Weathers belongs to the gang know as the 88’s. His teammate Kelvin Owens is from the rival gang known as the 95’s. Throughout the whole movie they dislike each other but then realize that the reason they dislike each other is stupid. Willie Weathers has a friend named “Free” he’s the 88’s gang leader and was like an older brother to Willie. After Kelvin’s and Willie’s game everyone goes on the field to congratulate them including Free. Free(88) then bumps into Kelvin(95) and starts shoving him. Kelvin starts shoving Free as well. After a couple of shoves Free pulls out a gun and shoot Kelvin. Kelvin then falls to the ground and right when Free is about to shoot Kelvin and Willie goes and tackles Free down so he wouldn’t kill Kelvin.
I relate this back to what Aristotle was saying because you can’t help but feel bad for Willie. Because he was put into a situation where he had to choose from betraying his gang and saving Kelvin or letting his teammate get killed that was starting to become more of a brother to him. He chose his friend Kelvin over his long time friend and gang leader Free. Everyone in the streets labels Willie as a traitor.
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Adrian Leyva 