10.3 Aristotelian poetics

Aristotelian poetics, rooted in ancient Greece, laid the groundwork for analyzing literature. It introduced key concepts like mimesis, catharsis, and the unities that shaped Western literary thought for centuries.

Aristotle's Poetics focused on tragedy, epic poetry, and comedy as main forms of mimetic poetry. His ideas on plot structure, character development, and the purpose of literature continue to influence how we understand and create literary works today.

Origins of Aristotelian poetics

• Aristotelian poetics emerged as a foundational framework for analyzing and understanding literature in ancient Greece
• Continues to shape literary criticism and theory in Literature in English studies through Milton's era and beyond

Aristotle's Poetics

Top images from around the web for Aristotle's Poetics

• 

  Hamartia - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Aristotle's Poetics - Epic And Tragedy View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Tragedy and Aristotle (ninth grade) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Hamartia - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Aristotle's Poetics - Epic And Tragedy View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

Top images from around the web for Aristotle's Poetics

• 

  Hamartia - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Aristotle's Poetics - Epic And Tragedy View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Tragedy and Aristotle (ninth grade) View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Hamartia - Wikipedia View original

  Is this image relevant?

• 

  Aristotle's Poetics - Epic And Tragedy View original

  Is this image relevant?

1 of 3

• Seminal work on literary theory written by Aristotle around 335 BCE
• Focuses primarily on tragedy, epic poetry, and comedy as main forms of mimetic poetry
• Establishes key concepts like mimesis, catharsis, and the unities that influenced Western literature for centuries

Historical context

• Developed during the golden age of Greek drama and philosophy (5th-4th century BCE)
• Responds to and builds upon Plato's views on poetry and imitation
• Reflects the cultural importance of theatrical performances and poetic recitations in ancient Greek society

Influence on Western literature

• Shaped the development of literary criticism and theory throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance
• Provided a framework for analyzing and creating dramatic works, especially tragedies
• Influenced major literary figures like Horace, Longinus, and later Renaissance humanists

Key concepts in Poetics

• Aristotle introduces fundamental ideas about the nature and purpose of poetry
• These concepts form the basis for understanding literary works in the context of Literature in English studies

Mimesis vs diegesis

• Mimesis involves showing or enacting events through imitation or representation
• Diegesis refers to telling or narrating events directly to the audience
• Aristotle favors mimesis as a more engaging and effective form of storytelling
• Impacts the way authors choose to present their narratives (dramatic performances vs epic recitations)

Catharsis in tragedy

• Emotional purification or purgation experienced by the audience
• Achieved through arousing feelings of pity and fear in the spectators
• Serves as the ultimate purpose of tragedy according to Aristotle
• Influences the emotional impact and structure of tragic works in English literature

Unity of action

• Principle stating that a play should have a single, coherent plot
• All events in the story should contribute to the main action
• Excludes subplots or episodic structures that don't directly relate to the central conflict
• Shapes the dramatic structure of plays and narratives in English literature

Elements of tragedy

• Aristotle identifies six key components that constitute a well-crafted tragedy
• These elements continue to influence the analysis and creation of dramatic works in English literature

Plot structure

• Considered the most important element of tragedy
• Consists of beginning, middle, and end with a clear causal relationship between events
• Includes concepts of reversal (peripeteia) and recognition (anagnorisis)
• Emphasizes the importance of a unified and coherent storyline

Character development

• Focuses on the moral nature and choices of characters
• Characters should be consistent, appropriate to their role, and true to life
• Emphasizes the importance of a tragic hero with a fatal flaw (hamartia)
• Influences the creation of complex, relatable characters in English literature

Thought and diction

• Thought refers to the themes and ideas expressed through the characters' words and actions
• Diction involves the choice and arrangement of words to convey meaning effectively
• Stresses the importance of appropriate language for different characters and situations
• Shapes the way authors craft dialogue and express themes in their works

Melody and spectacle

• Melody refers to the musical elements in Greek tragedy (chorus, songs)
• Spectacle includes visual aspects of the performance (costumes, set design)
• Considered less important than plot, character, and thought
• Influences the integration of musical and visual elements in later dramatic works

Aristotle's views on epic

• Aristotle compares and contrasts epic poetry with tragedy in his Poetics
• His analysis of epic influences the understanding and creation of long narrative poems in English literature

Epic vs tragedy

• Epic poetry and tragedy share similar elements but differ in length and structure
• Epics have a broader scope and can include multiple plot lines
• Tragedies focus on a single action and are more condensed
• Influences the development of both dramatic and narrative forms in English literature

Characteristics of epic poetry

• Long narrative poems dealing with significant events and heroic deeds
• Often involve supernatural elements and divine intervention
• Use elevated language and formal meter (typically dactylic hexameter in Greek)
• Shapes the creation and analysis of epic works like Milton's "Paradise Lost"

Homer's influence

• Aristotle frequently cites Homer's "Iliad" and "Odyssey" as exemplary epic poems
• Praises Homer's unity of action despite the poems' length and complexity
• Highlights Homer's skill in character development and use of direct speech
• Establishes Homer as a model for later epic poets in the Western tradition