Aristotle's Theory of Mimesis:
There is no doubt that Aristotle inherited the word 'mimesis' from Plato. In the
Poetics, Aristotle has expressed his theory of mimesis. It is in chapters I to IV.
Aristotle added a new meaning, a new dimension to Plato’s concept. He expanded
and made it comprehensive. Aristotle’s Poetics is an indirect answer to Plato.
Aristotle breathed a new life, a new spirit in the theory of mimesis. He proved that
poetry is not a servile copy, a blind imitation but a process of creation.
Aristotle considers mimesis/imitation to be the common principle of all fine arts.
The term 'fine arts' includes poetry, comedy, tragedy, dancing, music, flute playing,
painting and sculpture. All of them imitate something. Thus Aristotle agrees with
Plato’s theory in principle. He agrees that imitation is the common principle of all
arts. At the same time, he differs from Plato by including music in the imitative arts.
It clearly shows that Aristotle's theory of imitation is wider than that of Plato. The
musician imitates not the outward form of appearances, but he presents the inward
world of human feelings, passions and emotions. It is the inner life of man.
Other arts like painting, dancing etc. also imitate something. It is the common
basis of all arts, but there are differences too. All the arts differ from one another in
three ways. They have different 'mediums or means' of imitation. They differ in their
objects of imitation. Finally, their manners or modes of imitation are also different.
In this way, the mediums, the objects and the manners of imitation make differences
among arts.
I) Mediums or Means of Imitation:

Some mediums of imitation are form, colour and sounds. Music uses rhythm,
language and harmony. Poetry uses the medium of language.

II) The Objects of Imitation:
The objects of imitation or representation are 'human beings'. These are the men
performing or experiencing something. They may be either good or bad. It means
that the arts represent human beings, either better or worse than they really are. Thus,
the objects of imitation are different in each art. In poetry, some poets present men
better than reality or as they are. They may be presented lower than the reality. It is
the basic difference between tragedy and comedy. Tragedy presents men 'better' than
reality, whereas comedy presents them in the lower mode.
Thus, the objects of imitation differ in various arts. For Aristotle, imitation was
not limited to outward appearance only. It was the reproduction of human nature and
actions. It is a creative process.

III) The Manner of Imitation:

Different arts imitate objects in different manners. There may be three modes of
it. First, the poet may use the mode of narration throughout. Secondly, he may use
narration as well as dialogues by characters. We find such mode in Homer's poetry.
Lastly, a poet may represent the whole story in a dramatic manner. It is in the form of
action.
For Aristotle, the manner of imitation helps us to classify poetry into epic,
narrative and descriptive types. The dramatic poetry is further divided in tragedy and
comedy on the basis of their objects of representation. This classification prepares