Aristotle's Poetics

Aristotle's poetics was so hard for me to work through! Not only was it dense, but long...complex to say the least. Thankfully, Dr. Sexson provided us with a summary of each chapter in hopes that we would understand it more clearly.

Aristotle not only lays out the generals of poetics, but includes an in depth analysis of the differences between tragedy and comedy in poetics.

Imitation is of much importance in Aristotle's poetics. Imitation is what really distinguishes comedy from tragedy in poetry. Poetry can even be traced back to the makeup of imitation psychologically, according to Aristotle.

Plot (mythos), character (ethos) and thought (dianoia) play a major role in tragedy. The plot is of the most importance and is also where emotions are heightened. The character helps to form the moral or expression in Tragedy. Thought is expressed through rhetoric and diction is expressed mainly through the delivery of the poetry.