Interesting. The free ebook version, first published 1920, has a brief but helpful preface by a Gilbert Murray (text is the Oxford translation). It’s a shame the section on comedy was lost; I’d love to know what Aristotle thought about the Old Comedy, Aristophanes especially. I guess we’ll never know (though I’m sure most of humanity finds it unbearable being left in this particular darkness). ( )

I read this book in an effort to enhance my personal hobby of script writing. If I recall correctly, I read somehwere that this is an important book regarding proper plot structure. Having read the book I believe this to be true. It touches upon tragedy, epics, comedies, plot, character, reasoning among other things. ( )

This little book looks to address the different kinds of poetry, the structure of a good poem, and the division of a poem into its component parts.

Aristotle defines poetry as a 'medium of imitation' that seeks to represent or duplicate life through character, emotion, or action, he defines poetry very broadly, including epic poetry, tragedy, comedy, dithyrambic poetry, and even some kinds of music; however it also serves as the basis from which all literary criticism arose and it is apparent that some of his ideas have survived the centuries when reading reviews from well respected personage in this field.

Not my usual book review but I feel that all lovers, be they readers or writers, of literature could benefit from reading this short treatise on literature, rather than it being reserved and known only to those who are studying English Literature at whatever level.

It is not an easy read, but it wasn’t so hard that I felt I was drowning in syrup and, although I did not pick this up for enjoyment I did find myself enjoying most everything in it. Whilst reading through it it made me begin to examine the yardstick I use for my own review of books, and also the reasoning behind my choice as to whether I read a certain book or not. From reading this I have come away with the feeling my scope is too narrow, and I need to broaden my reading horizons. As much as this little book made me think, I can only give it a 3 thumbs rating as there were times when, as much as I liked Aristotle’s point of view, I wanted to choke him like a chicken.

This is a must read for anyone studying literature and literary criticism, but also for those who write as it may open a new direction and thought process to them that they can then apply into their works.


Originally reviewed on: http://catesbooknuthut.com/2015/02/02/review-poetics-aristotle/



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12/8/21

12/8/21