Mimesis
Imitation or representation — the foundational concept of Western aesthetic theory.
The Meaning of Mimesis
Mimesis was central to Greek culture — the chorus mimicked gods and heroes in drama, sculptors mimicked the human form, and Homer's poetry mimicked the voices of Achilles, Odysseus, and Hector. Plato distrusted mimesis: poets were imitators of imitators, two steps from truth. He would have banished Homer from his Republic. Aristotle rescued mimesis in the Poetics, arguing that tragedy's imitation of action produces catharsis — emotional purification. The masks of Dionysus's theatre were literal mimesis: actors becoming gods and heroes.
Symbols
Fun Fact
The entire theory of literary realism — from the 19th-century novel to method acting — descends from Aristotle's defence of mimesis against Plato's attack.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth. See our full guide to English words from Greek mythology.
Explore Further
Catharsis
💭 conceptEmotional purification through art
Aristotle's concept that tragedy purifies the audience by arousing and then releasing pity and fear.
Apollonian and Dionysian
💭 conceptPhilosophy and aesthetics
A philosophical dichotomy introduced by Nietzsche contrasting the rational, ordered, and formal qualities associated with Apollo against the ecstatic, chaotic, and primal forces associated with Dionysus
Ekphrasis
💭 conceptLiterary description of a work of art
Ekphrasis was the literary description of a visual artwork — invented in Homer's description of Achilles' shield and still the foundation of art criticism.
Pygmalion Effect
💭 conceptPsychology and education
A psychological phenomenon in which higher expectations lead to improved performance, named after the mythological sculptor whose statue came to life because he believed in her so completely
Enthousiasmos
💭 conceptReligion and Inspiration
The state of being possessed by a god, the original meaning of divine inspiration in Greek religion.
Comedy
💭 conceptLanguage and drama
An English word for a humorous dramatic work, derived from the Greek komodia meaning "revel song," from the drunken processions honouring Dionysus
Metamorphosis
💭 conceptDivine Transformation
The transformation of shape or form, a central motif in Greek mythology where gods and mortals change bodies.
Theatre
💭 conceptLanguage and performance
An English word for a place of dramatic performance, derived from the Greek theatron meaning "viewing place," invented at the festivals of Dionysus in Athens
Plato
💭 conceptPhilosophy, myth, forms
Athenian philosopher who both critiqued traditional myths and created powerful new ones in his dialogues
God of Wine
💭 conceptWine, festivity, ecstasy, theatre, rebirth
Dionysus rules over wine, ritual madness, and the transformative power of theatre and celebration.
Muse
💭 conceptLanguage and creativity
An English word meaning a source of artistic inspiration, derived from the nine Muses of Greek mythology who presided over the arts and sciences
Creation of Man
💭 conceptNarrative
The mythological accounts of how humanity was fashioned from clay and endowed with life by the gods