Aristotelian criticism
Quick Summary
Aristotelian criticism, primarily discussed in relation to his work Poetics, counters Plato's view of art as a mere imitation of an imitation. While Plato saw art as twice removed from truth, Aristotle argued that mimesis, or imitation, is natural to humans and a source of learning.123
Aristotle viewed tragedy as an imitation of a noble action, capable of evoking pity and fear, which are then purged through katharsis. He considered plot, the causal arrangement of events, to be the most crucial element of tragedy, even calling it the "soul" of the work. Unlike Plato, who advocated for censorship, Aristotle believed art could have a civilizing and regulating effect on emotions rather than inflaming them.1452
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tragedyClassical theoriesPlato is answered, in effect and perhaps intentionally, by Aristotle’s Poetics. Aristotle defends the purgative power of tragedy and, in direct contradiction to Plato, makes moral ambiguity the essence of tragedy. The tragic hero must be neither a villain nor a virtuous man but a “character between…
Read MorePlato is answered, in effect and perhaps intentionally, by Aristotle’s Poetics. Aristotle defends the purgative power of tragedy and, in direct contradiction to Plato, makes moral ambiguity the essence of tragedy. The tragic hero must be neither a villain nor a virtuous man but a “character between…
Read More- anagnorisis
It is discussed by Aristotle in the Poetics as an essential part of the plot of a tragedy, although anagnorisis occurs in comedy, epic, and, at a later date, the novel as well. Anagnorisis usually involves revelation of the true identity of persons previously unknown, as when a father…
Read MoreIt is discussed by Aristotle in the Poetics as an essential part of the plot of a tragedy, although anagnorisis occurs in comedy, epic, and, at a later date, the novel as well. Anagnorisis usually involves revelation of the true identity of persons previously unknown, as when a father…
Read More - catharsis
…is a metaphor used by Aristotle in the Poetics to describe the effects of true tragedy on the spectator. The use is derived from the medical term katharsis (Greek: “purgation” or “purification”). Aristotle states that the purpose of tragedy is to arouse “terror and pity” and thereby effect the catharsis…
Read More…is a metaphor used by Aristotle in the Poetics to describe the effects of true tragedy on the spectator. The use is derived from the medical term katharsis (Greek: “purgation” or “purification”). Aristotle states that the purpose of tragedy is to arouse “terror and pity” and thereby effect the catharsis…
Read More - hamartia
Aristotle introduced the term casually in the Poetics in describing the tragic hero as a man of noble rank and nature whose misfortune is not brought about by villainy but by some “error of judgment” (hamartia). This imperfection later came to be interpreted as a…
Read MoreAristotle introduced the term casually in the Poetics in describing the tragic hero as a man of noble rank and nature whose misfortune is not brought about by villainy but by some “error of judgment” (hamartia). This imperfection later came to be interpreted as a…
Read More - peripeteia
It is discussed by Aristotle in the Poetics as the shift of the tragic protagonist’s fortune from good to bad, which is essential to the plot of a tragedy. It is often an ironic twist, as in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex when a messenger brings Oedipus news about his parents…
Read MoreIt is discussed by Aristotle in the Poetics as the shift of the tragic protagonist’s fortune from good to bad, which is essential to the plot of a tragedy. It is often an ironic twist, as in Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex when a messenger brings Oedipus news about his parents…
Read More - unities
…usually referred to as “Aristotelian rules” for dramatic structure. Actually, Aristotle’s observations on tragedy are descriptive rather than prescriptive, and he emphasizes only one unity, that of plot, or action.
Read More…usually referred to as “Aristotelian rules” for dramatic structure. Actually, Aristotle’s observations on tragedy are descriptive rather than prescriptive, and he emphasizes only one unity, that of plot, or action.
Read More
- Chicago critics
…“Aristotelian,” or, more accurately, “Neo-Aristotelian,” because of their concern with form and genre. Their approach emphasized an evaluation of the author’s solutions to specific problems in the construction of a text. One of the most complete discussions of the Chicago critics is found in Critics and Criticism: Ancient and…
Read More…“Aristotelian,” or, more accurately, “Neo-Aristotelian,” because of their concern with form and genre. Their approach emphasized an evaluation of the author’s solutions to specific problems in the construction of a text. One of the most complete discussions of the Chicago critics is found in Critics and Criticism: Ancient and…
Read More - Tractatus Coislinianus
…treatment of comedy displays marked Aristotelian influence, even to the point of paralleling the model offered in the Poetics. The Tractatus is assumed to be either a version of a lost Aristotelian original or a statement of the Aristotelian tradition. Accordingly, as with tragedy, comedy must bring about a catharsis…
Read More…treatment of comedy displays marked Aristotelian influence, even to the point of paralleling the model offered in the Poetics. The Tractatus is assumed to be either a version of a lost Aristotelian original or a statement of the Aristotelian tradition. Accordingly, as with tragedy, comedy must bring about a catharsis…
Read More