Final answer:
Sophocles' approach to drama stresses the difference between divine and human perspectives on justice, with a focus on human responsibility, encouraging reflection on societal norms and self-introspection among his audience. His works serve as an educative mirror, offering catharsis and aligning with Aristotle's views on the purpose and power of the dramatic imitation of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The quotation from Sophocles is indicative of his unique approach to drama wherein he explores the dynamic between divine justice and the human condition. Sophocles crafts narratives that delve into the principles of the gods as distinct from human standards, thereby establishing a framework where characters embody the struggle for harmony against the backdrop of celestial decree. In his plays, like the renowned Oedipus, we witness a human hero who, despite extraordinary adversity that could be ascribed to fate, takes responsibility for his actions, underscoring the importance of human accountability over divine dictates.
Through his work, Sophocles brings forth themes emphasizing rationality, the avoidance of hubris, and the theoretical idea that the state should be the arbiter of justice. The approach of using theater as a reflective medium extends beyond Sophocles to his contemporaries and to the philosophical discourses of the time, with Aristotle and the Sophists examining and provoking thought about societal norms and values.
In consonance with Aristotle's perspective on the significance of drama, Sophocles offers a purgative experience (catharsis) to his audience, who vicariously live through intense emotional experiences of the characters on stage. This not only provides entertainment but serves an educative function, promoting introspection and moral contemplation among the viewers. Aristotle's Poetics underscores these aspects of drama, highlighting how Sophocles' works exemplify the artistic imitation of life, imbued with qualities that tap into the innate human propensity for imitation as a means of learning.