Plato attacks poetry on two main fronts, claims to knowledge and as imitations. The poet as Plato knew him was a religious being, who was divinely inspired by the muse. It is therefore futile to attempt an analysis of the modern poet in comparison with the mythic poet. Instead, we must search our society to find a group which best resembles the mythic poet. And then, explore whether Plato's attacks still holds true against are …showed first 75 words of 1609 total…

…showed last 75 words of 1609 total…and holler before an audience using many skills and techniques to manipulate their captive audience's emotional state. This form of religion may be a minority in our society but it is a large minority. Football stadiums full of these zealots form in the name of blind faith. The verse that preachers use is poetic in its nature. Inspiration is used to make their claims to knowledge, much like the claims to knowledge mythic poets professed.