Poetics

Aristotle,

£9.99

Available on back-order

Aristotles’ Poetics is a penetrating account of Greek tragedy which demonstrtes how the elements of plot, character and spectacle combine to produce “pity and fear”, and why we derive pleasure from this apparently painful process.

ISBN: 9780140446364 Category:

Description

One of the most powerful, perceptive and influential works of criticism in Western literary history

In his near-contemporary account of classical Greek tragedy, Aristotle examines the dramatic elements of plot, character, language and spectacle that combine to produce pity and fear in the audience, and asks why we derive pleasure from this apparently painful process. Taking examples from the plays of Aeschylus, Sophocles and Euripides, the Poetics introduced into literary criticism such central concepts as mimesis (‘imitation’), hamartia (‘error’) and katharsis (‘purification’). Aristotle explains how the most effective tragedies rely on complication and resolution, recognition and reversals. The Poetics has informed thinking about drama ever since.

Translated with an Introduction and Notes by Malcolm Heath

Additional information

Weight 0.112 kg
Dimensions 19.8 × 12.9 × 0.8 cm
Author

Publisher

Imprint

Cover

Paperback

Pages

144

Language

English

Edition
Dewey

882.01 (edition:21)

Readership

General – Trade / Code: K

Join our Mailing List

Sign up to the Jaffé & Neale newsletters to receive updates on forthcoming titles we’re excited about, book club information and book signing events at the store.