Characterization According to Aristotle

"Since tragedy is the imitation of characters better than those we know in life, we should imitate good portrait painters. They too render the characteristic appearance of their subject in a good likeness which is yet more beautiful than the original."
Does art need to "enhance" real life to get a point across? I don't think so. While it's true that people can't talk as fluidly as fictional characters or express themselves in such an exterior way, the actual circumstances that take place moment to moment even in ordinary situations are so intricate, that they provide more than enough material for any drama.

Take for example someone buying a sandwich at a store. On the surface its a minor occurrence, but each actor potentially has many conflicting desires and motives. The cashier may despise the customer, thinking how he was undeservingly dealt a better hand in life, not forced to work in a store. On the other hand, he thinks to himself that he should be as polite as possible, hoping that the customer will put his change in the tip jar. At the same time, he may experience intense contempt toward the capitalist system that has taught him to sell a fake affect for money. The customer may feel guilt for forcing the cashier to perform mindless labor, but at the same time have a desire for the cashier to work as rapidly as possible.

With real drama taking place this rapidly, I think writers more often have to leave out most of what is already there, rather than add something that isn't.