129. 148 OTAHT CHAPTER 1II

148 OTAHT CHAPTER 1II

ÆSTHETIC OBJECT FROM SPECTATOR'S POINT OF VIEW.

Looking at the æsthetic object from the point of view of the spectator, we find it difficult to class it with any object of the ordinary world. We can get an idea of the essential nature of the object from this standpoint, only if we analyse the true nature of his experience. Let us, therefore, suppose that the spectator is seeing a drama, the hero of which is Rama and try to find out what his experience of the presentation of Rama is. 1. The figure that appears in his consciousness is neither exclusively of the historic Rama nor that of the actor as X', or Devadatta; for, the former is inhibited by the time factor and the latter by the external look and paraphernalia. It is, therefore, a configuration of some elements of the one and some of the other. 2. The content of spectator's experience is not "the actor in the guise of Rama," because such a consciousness would make the identification with the focus and so the empathic reaction and æsthetic experience impossible. For, this consciousness depends upon an objective perception of the presented. 3. The object dces not figure in the spectator's consciousness as an error, because of the exact external similarity between the presented and the historical, as in the case of the twins in the Twelfth Night. For, the presence of a subconscious idea, that there is an actor acting a part, cannot be denied. 4. Nor does the figure, appearing in the spectator's consciousness, involve any kind of superimposition of the historic on the actor, because of the qualitative similarity, as at the time when a person is addressed as "Ass" on account of his stupidity.