This paper explains that, in Aristotle's "Poetics", the great thinker disagrees with Plato on the inherent value of art especially
in regard to the idea of art being a cheap
imitation of
nature. The author points out that, whereas Plato sees this as a major drawback to any art, Aristotle contends that there is much more involved in the process than the simple act of copying. The paper stresses that this Aristotelian view is the important link between Plato and critics, such as Sir Philip Sidney and Samuel Johnson, who came after him.