Plato bans poetryPlato in The Republic creates a debate by denouncing poetry. Plato has this vision of an ideal city that is genuinely just, Plato bans the poets from the city because they are imitative and under no circumstances do they represent justice. Consequently, poetry was not to be allowed into his ideal city. However, if this debate could be made with very good reasons as to why they should be banished from the city, Plato would be willing to allow their return. Plato has three reasons why he believes poets are dangerous and unqualified for his city. The first reason for their refusal is that the poets claim to possess all this knowledge. This raises the question: do poets really know what they are talking about or are they impersonators? He begins to demonstrate this by holding the example of a bed. There are three beds; the one existing in nature and created by God, the one made by the carpenter and finally the one made by the painter. Plato then says that "God, therefore, whether he wanted it or because he felt obliged not to make more than one bed, in reality made only one bed, the real bed." (Plato 287) He goes on to explain that God should be considered the true and natural creator of the true bed. Furthermore, even if he made more than one bed, they would simply be copies. Although the carpenter makes beds of similar quality, it is only an imitation of a particular bed. The painter's bed is purely an imitation of the carpenter's product. The painter is then accused of being an imitator of things that others create, because he is someone who makes something third, far from nature. Plato states that although this painting looks different, it is not different and imitates illusion. The...... middle of paper......poetry according to Plato will make you lose sight of yourself, making it difficult to avoid expressing emotions and becoming unjust. Plato is a philosopher and recognizes that poetry is of a higher rank than philosophy, but it should not be taken seriously when dealing with truth. The listener should also fear poetry because of its ability to corrupt his soul, and he should remember everything we have said about poetry. Plato places emphasis on people who know the importance of being right and seek good and true knowledge when it comes to poetry. He wants us to be aware that, even if poetry is sometimes fascinating, “we must not be guilty of impiety by betraying what we think is true.” (Plato 298) Works Cited Sterling, R. (1985). Plato's republic. (1 ed.). Canada: Penguin Books Canada.