Aristotle Poetics (c.350 B.C.E.)

Translated by S. H. Butcher

Contents

Introduction to the Poetics
Introduction
Aristotle
Poetics

The Poetics: Chapters I-IV
I 'Imitation' the common principle of the Arts of Poetry
II The Objects of Imitation
III The Manner of Imitation
IV The Origin and Development of Poetry

The Poetics: Chapters V-VIII
V Definition of the Ludicrous, and a brief sketch of the rise of Comedy
VI Definition of Tragedy
VII The Plot must be a Whole
VIII The Plot must be a Unity

The Poetics: Chapters IX-XII
IX (Plot continued.) Dramatic Unity
X (Plot continued.) Definitions of Simple and Complex Plots
XI (Plot continued.) Reversal of the Situation, Recognition, and Tragic or disastrous Incident defined and explained
XII The 'quantitative parts' of Tragedy defined

The Poetics: Chapters XIII-XVI
XIII (Plot continued.) What constitutes Tragic Action
XIV (Plot continued.) The tragic emotions of pity and fear should spring out of the Plot itself
XV The element of Character in Tragedy
XVI (Plot continued.) Recognition: its various kinds, with examples

The Poetics: Chapters XVII-XXI
XVII Practical rules for the Tragic Poet
XVIII Further rules for the Tragic Poet
XIX Thought, or the Intellectual element, and Diction in Tragedy
XX Diction, or Language in general
XXI Poetic Diction

The Poetics: Chapters XXII-XXIV
XXII (Poetic Diction continued) How Poetry combines elevation of language with perspicuity
XXIII Epic Poetry
XXIV (Epic Poetry continued.) Further points of agreement with Tragedy

The Poetics: Chapters XXV-XXVI
XXV Critical Objections brought against Poetry, and the principles on which they are to be answered
XXVI A general estimate of the comparative worth of Epic Poetry and Tragedy

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