Homer has taught all other poets the art of telling lies skillfully. (1460a19)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Aristotle suggests that Homer was so skillful in his deception that he set a standard for other poets in crafting convincing falsehoods.
- In plain terms
- Homer showed other poets how to tell lies well.
- What can you take from it?
- Skillful storytelling can make falsehoods persuasive.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes a lie convincing in art?
Another view
It oversimplifies Homer's work as merely deceptive.
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