1. Aristotle: Beauty is a Function of Form
Aristotle's idea does not coincide with Plato about imitation. He believes that the artist has the freedom to imitate aspects of nature. He also gives emphasis on the unity of form. His idea is all about form and function. Each form has its own cause it has to serve its purpose in order to have unity. Plato's idea on form relates to ideal forms, Aristotle relates form to something inherent in the object.
2. Imitation and Beauty
Aristotle's idea on imitation in relationship to beauty is another factor that contrasts with Plato's. For Aristotle, beauty is real. Beauty for him is bound to a context, it is the same as saying "beauty is in the eye of the beholder." It depends on the person viewing the art and seeing its beauty which makes the art stand-out. Plato on the other hand, believes that art is something abstract. For him it is something ideal for the viewer to imitate it and nothing else. It is seen only as it is, as a model.
