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book335 BCE

Poetics

Disciplines:
aesthetics
literary criticism/literary theory

Summary

Aristotle's systematic account of tragedy — its definition, structure, and emotional function — and of poetry as imitation (mimesis).

Core Contribution

Tragedy is the imitation of an action that arouses pity and fear and accomplishes catharsis. Six elements: plot, character, thought, diction, song, spectacle — plot is most important. Mimesis (imitation) is natural to humans and provides pleasure through recognition.

Historical Influences

Aristotle

Intellectual Lineage

No conceptual lineage found.

Allied Works

Republic Rhetoric Languages of Art

Contemporaries & Peers

No recorded contemporaries.

Minds Influenced

No recorded minds influenced.

Intellectual Posterity

No conceptual posterity found.

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Poetics

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