4/18 Plato Reading & Blog

Q. Why should plays, and acting in them, be regulated? What is potentially beneficial or harmful from acting in a play?

A. I really don't think plays and acting in them should be regulated at all. People should be able to express themselves in a way that they want. If acting is their hobby, then they should pursue their goal. But as to Plato's quote, "And it will also apply to representation; a man cannot play many parts as well as he can one (pg. 89),"

this made me question. I think plays should be regulated because a person cannot control another person because that is not what was meant for him. That person can only control their own life. When a person acts in a play, he cannot BE that person. He can only do his best to try to portray that character.

I think Plato wants to regulate plays because if children were to watch plays that could involve violence or drugs, or anything not sitable for children, they could become influenced. Plato wants to adjust the play standards to something a little more appropriate. What's harmful in acting in a play is that a person can get so into that character, that they can do something harmful in reality. The only thing beneficial in acting in a play is that person's own enjoyment.