The purgative melodies
likewise give an innocent pleasure to mankind. Such are the modes
and the melodies in which those who perform music at the theater
should be invited to compete. But since the spectators are of two
kinds- the one free and educated, and the other a vulgar crowd
composed of mechanics, laborers, and the like- there ought to be
contests and exhibitions instituted for the relaxation of the second
class also. And the music will correspond to their minds; for as their
minds are perverted from the natural state, so there are perverted
modes and highly strung and unnaturally colored melodies. A man
receives pleasure from what is natural to him, and therefore
professional musicians may be allowed to practice this lower sort of
music before an audience of a lower type. But, for the purposes of
education, as I have already said, those modes and melodies should
be employed which are ethical, such as the Dorian, as we said
before; though we may include any others which are approved by
philosophers who have had a musical education. The Socrates of the
Republic is wrong in retaining only the Phrygian mode along with the
Dorian, and the more so because he rejects the flute; for the Phrygian
is to the modes what the flute is to musical instruments- both of them
are exciting and emotional. Poetry proves this, for Bacchic frenzy and
all similar emotions are most suitably expressed by the flute, and are
better set to the Phrygian than to any other mode.
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