Which six elements of tragedy did Aristotle identify in Poetics?

In his seminal work of literary criticism, the Poetics, Aristotle identified six essential elements that constitute a tragedy. He ranked these in order of importance as follows:

• Plot: Aristotle considered this the most important element, describing it as the "soul" of a tragedy. He emphasized that tragedy is an imitation of an action, and the structure of these incidents is paramount.1
• Character: Ranked second, character refers to the individuals portrayed. Aristotle argued that the tragic hero should be a person of stature who experiences a downfall due to hamartia, or a tragic error in judgment.12
• Thought: This relates to the intellectual themes and the reasoning behind the characters' actions and the arguments presented within the drama.1
• Diction: This concerns the expression of meaning through words and the composition of the verses used in the play.1
• Song (Melody): Music and the choral elements were considered integral to the performance and the emotional impact of the tragedy.1
• Spectacle: This encompasses the visual aspects of the production, such as stagecraft, costumes, and scenery, which Aristotle regarded as the least essential element of the art form.1