Two and a half centuries ago in the Mediterranean, the definition of art was not synonymous with the term as we know it. It included painting, sculpture, poetry, and everything he still recognizes as art, as well as craftsmanship, carpentry, and similar occupations. Plato was the first to seriously address the nature of art, and he did so quite emphatically. Considering it unimportant and even dangerous, he reported it. His student, Aristotle, who later dealt with the same topic, had incompatible and sometimes opposing views on the subject. Their views were heavily influenced by their metaphysical beliefs, as were most philosophical theories of the time. In investigating the concepts of the two philosophers, Sophocles' tragedy Antigone will be the topic on which they will be critically examined. To understand Aristotle's view on art it is important to first look at his metaphysics. However, since his metaphysics is essentially a response to his teacher's theories, it is crucial to our exams that we familiarize ourselves with Plato's understanding of the universe. Plato believed that in our reality all existing objects are simple imitations (mimesis) of perfect objects that exist in some abstract non-physical realm. This ideology, which can be felt throughout Plato's work, reveals several important problems with the nature of art. Unlike Plato, Aristotle's metaphysics was much more rooted in the physical world. For him, the notion of "form" was present in all matter and the dissimilarity between it and the actual material that constituted an object was merely intellectual. This has a relation to art since, for both Plato and Aristotle, art is an imitation. However, the two philosophers interpret nature...... middle of paper ......would have banned, instead of recommending music and stories for the young people of the Republic. Plato was more wary of art's seductive dark potential than he was aware of its positive potential. Therefore, Plato would most likely have advocated that Antigone be performed only before audiences who were in good control of their faculties and prone to little or no emotional reaction. As has been illustrated, both Plato and Aristotle had compelling arguments and influential ideas on the subject. nature and purpose of the art. If Aristotle certainly applauded Antigone, then Plato would be much more reserved. There is no denying that their theories made perfect sense in their historical contexts, even if they may not hold up as well today. Without a doubt, their works have been instrumental in defining the framework of the philosophy of art for future generations.