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Aristotle's Poetics is a foundational treatise on literature that outlines the principles of poetry and drama, focusing particularly on tragedy and its emotional impact. He categorizes the essential components of tragedy into six parts, emphasizing the importance of plot and character, and discusses the concept of catharsis. Additionally, Aristotle compares tragedy to epic poetry, asserting the superiority of tragedy in its structure and emotional engagement.

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16 views3 pages

School Work

Aristotle's Poetics is a foundational treatise on literature that outlines the principles of poetry and drama, focusing particularly on tragedy and its emotional impact. He categorizes the essential components of tragedy into six parts, emphasizing the importance of plot and character, and discusses the concept of catharsis. Additionally, Aristotle compares tragedy to epic poetry, asserting the superiority of tragedy in its structure and emotional engagement.

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omoikeelijah8
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We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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University Of Benin

Name:
Otobong Peculiar Emmanson

Matric Number:
Art 2201637

Course Title:
Play Appreciation And Criticism

Course Code: Thr315


Summary Of Aristotle Poetics
Aristotle's Poetics is a treatise on the art of literature written in c. 330 BC. In it,
Aristotle focuses on the principles of poetry and drama, outlining what makes
effective storytelling and structuring plays and stories to be more meaningful and
engaging. Aristotle discusses poetry in general and in particular, and he also
considers the effects of poetry on those who consume it and the proper way in
which to construct a poetic plot for maximum effect. He explores each component
part of poetry separately and addresses any questions that come up in the process.
Aristotle was the first theorist of theatre – so his Poetics is the origin and basis of
all subsequent theatre criticism. His Poetics was written in the 4th century BC,
sometime after 335 BC.

Aristotle proposes to discuss poetry, which he defines as a means


of mimesis, or imitation, by means of language, rhythm, and harmony. As creatures
who thrive on imitation, we are naturally drawn to poetry.
In particular, Aristotle focuses his discussion on tragedy, which uses dramatic,
rather than narrative, form, and deals with agents who are better than us ourselves.
Tragedy serves to arouse the emotions of pity and fear and to effect
a katharsis (catharsis) of these emotions. Aristotle divides tragedy into six different
parts, ranking them in order from most important to least important as follows:
(1) mythos, or plot, (2) character, (3) thought, (4) diction, (5) melody, and (6)
spectacle.
The first essential to creating a good tragedy is that it should maintain unity of plot.
This means that the plot must move from beginning to end according to a tightly
organized sequence of necessary or probable events. The beginning should not
necessarily follow from any earlier events, and the end should tie up all loose ends
and not produce any necessary consequences. The plot can also be enhanced by an
intelligent use of peripeteia, or reversal, and anagnorisis, or recognition. These
elements work best when they are made an integral part of the plot.
A plot should consist of a hero going from happiness to misery. The hero should be
portrayed consistently and in a good light, though the poet should also remain true
to what we know of the character. The misery should be the result of
some hamartia, or error, on the part of the hero. A tragic plot must always involve
some sort of tragic deed, which can be done or left undone, and this deed can be
approached either with full knowledge or in ignorance.
Aristotle discusses thought and diction and then moves on to address epic poetry.
Epic poetry is similar to tragedy in many ways, though it is generally longer, more
fantastic, and deals with a greater scope of action. After addressing some problems
of criticism, Aristotle argues that tragedy is superior to epic poetry.

Aristotle proposes to discuss poetry, which he defines as a means of mimesis, or


imitation, by means of language, rhythm, and harmony. As creatures who thrive on
imitation, we are naturally drawn to poetry.
In particular, Aristotle focuses his discussion on tragedy, which uses dramatic,
rather than narrative, form, and deals with agents who are better than us ourselves.
Tragedy serves to arouse the emotions of pity and fear and to effect
a katharsis (catharsis) of these emotions. Aristotle divides tragedy into six different
parts, ranking them in order from most important to least important as follows:
(1) mythos, or plot, (2) character, (3) thought, (4) diction, (5) melody, and (6)
spectacle.
Aristotle discusses thought and diction and then moves on to address epic poetry.
Epic poetry is similar to tragedy in many ways, though it is generally longer, more
fantastic, and deals with a greater scope of action.

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