Plato banning poetryPlato in The Republic creates a debate by denouncing poetry. Plato has this vision of an ideal city that is truly just, Plato banishes the poets from the city because they are imitators and in no way do they represent justice. Poetry should therefore not be admitted into its ideal city. However, if one could argue this debate with superb reasons as to why they should be banished from the city, Plato would be willing to allow them to return. Plato has three reasons why he considers poets dangerous and unqualified for his city. The first reason for their refusal is that the poets claim to have all this knowledge. This begs the question: do poets really know what they are talking about or are they imitators? He begins to demonstrate this by taking the example of a bed. There are three beds; the one that exists in nature that was created by God, the one that was made by the carpenter, and finally the one that was made by the painter. Plato then says that “God therefore, whether he wanted to or because he felt constrained not to make more than one bed, in fact made only one bed, the true bed”. (Plato 287) He goes on to explain that God should be considered the true natural creator of the true bed. Plus, even if it made more than one bed, those would just 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 it is he who does something in a third party removed from nature. Plato states that although this painting looks different, it is not different and imitates illusion. Middle of paper Poetry according to Plato will make a person lose sight, making it difficult for them to avoid expressing their emotions and becoming unjust. Plato being a philosopher recognizes that poetry as far as philosophy is concerned is of a higher rank, but it should not be taken seriously when it comes to truth. The one who listens to it must also be afraid of poetry because of its ability to corrupt one's soul and must remember everything we have said about poetry. Plato emphasizes that people know the importance of being right and seek good and true knowledge in matters of poetry. He wants us to be aware that although poetry is sometimes charming, "we must not be guilty of impiety in betraying what we think to be true." (Plato 298) Works Cited Sterling, R. (1985). Plato the republic. (1 ed.). Canada: Penguin Books Canada.