Poetics by Aristotle

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Poetics by Aristotle

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Poetics by Aristotle

One of the most powerful, perceptive and influential works of criticism in Western literary history In his near-contemporary account of classical Greek tragedy, Aristotle examines the dramatic elements of plot, character, language and spectacle that combine to produce pity and fear in the audience, and asks why we derive pleasure from this apparently painful process. Taking examples from the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, the Poetics introduced into literary criticism such central concepts as mimesis ('imitation'), hamartia ('error') and katharsis ('purification'). Aristotle explains how the most effective tragedies rely on complication and resolution, recognition and reversals. The Poetics has informed thinking about drama ever since. Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Malcolm Heath

Aristotle was born at Stagira, in the dominion of the kings of Macedonia, in 384 BC. For twenty years he studied at Athens in the Academy of Plato. However he left on Plato's death and, some time later, became the tutor of young Alexander The Great.His writings have profoundly affected the whole course of ancient and medieval philosophy, and they are still studied and debated today.
Malcolm Heath has been Reader in Greek Language and Literature at Leeds University since 1991.

SKU Unavailable
ISBN 13 9780140446364
ISBN 10 0140446362
Title Poetics
Author Aristotle
Condition Unavailable
Binding Type Paperback
Publisher Penguin Books Ltd
Year published 1996-09-26
Number of pages 144
Cover note Book picture is for illustrative purposes only, actual binding, cover or edition may vary.
Note Unavailable