Interpres nec imitator in artum. Kwestia intertekstualnej mimesis w Ars poetica Horacego i w scholiach

Abstract

According to contemporary neurosciences, mimetic behaviours are essential for coexistence within social group. The phenomenon of mimesis, however, was an object of observation already for ancient thinkers such as Xenophon, Plato, Aristotle, and Horace. Considering mimesis in the context of artistic actions of a man, ancient authors proffered an extended semantic and interpretative scope of analysis. Regarding the fact, though, that the term mimesis was subsequently, by successive centuries, subjected to an intensive reinterpretations, nowadays it is extremely difficult to extract its ancient meaning(s) not being mediated by modern commentaries. In this paper, the idea of intertextual mimesis by Horace (Ars poetica) in relation to scholia commenting this issue will be analyzed. As it is indicated in the title, Horace, proceeding theoretical considerations of his Greek predecessors, opted for creative mimesis seen as the construction of new worlds made up with previously existing elements and their inventive adaptation. Knowing the fact that ancient poetry, especially drama, was based on myths that are ruled by homeostasis principle (natural adaptation to the current experience of community), it is obvious that intertextual mimesis cannot be defined in the categories of imitation, but only of creation, so to be supported by mimesis per se.