Aristotle Poetics Essay

The philosopher Aristotle was a highly intellectual man who loved to reason. One of his ideas was his structured analysis of the “tragic hero” of Greek drama. In his work, Poetics, he defines a tragic hero as “...The man who on the one hand is not pre-eminent in virtue and justice, and yet on the other hand does not fall into misfortune through vice or depravity, but falls because of some mistake; one among the number of the highly renowned and prosperous.” Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero

Aristotle viewed tragedies to be the highest form of poetic literature. In his book, The Poetics, Aristotle defines a tragedy as “ The imitation of an action that is heroic, complete, and of a certain size, in language embellished with all kinds of ornament, each used separately in the different parts of the play, in dramatic, not narrative form and accomplishing with pity and fear the catharsis of these emotions (Battin, 1975).” “Aristotle devoted sizable portions of the Poetics to details

In Poetics, Aristotle explains tragedy as “an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude […] through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation of these emotions.” Aristotle notes that a perfect tragedy must include the downfall of the prominent protagonist as a result of his own tragic flaw, a complex plot, and the use of catharsis. William Shakespeare’s Othello, concerns the downfall of a noble, but greatly flawed, black general in the Venetian army. Through

or, moira. It is Oedipus's actions that set the events into motion,  but it is ultimately his fate, and his attempted aversion to it, that brings about his downfall. This downfall, and elements such as plot, character, diction and spectacle (Aristotle 175), that cause Oedipus the King to be a tragedy. In order to describe Oedipus as a tragic hero, one

notably dance and performance. It also prompted the Aristotle Poetics that discussed the value of six specific traits in every tragedy. It has even encouraged the usage in other fields of study, the most notably the existence of the Oedipus complex. The inclusion of different narratives, and symbolisms help to create a more dynamic environment in which the performance as a whole seems more complete. Sophocles’ Oedipus Rex has heavily influenced Aristotle as well as the performing arts in the creation

originally coined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle in Poetics as he began to theorize Greek Tragedy. In the grand debate of who the archetypal tragic hero is, Oedipus fulfills the position just as he fulfilled his inexorable fate with a tragic flaw that brought about his downfall. As Aristotle states, Oedipus eventually comes to recognize his flaw and its consequences, but only after it is too late to change or reverse the course of events. Aristotle deems that a tragic hero is usually a man of

The importance of the Greek culture and its inheritance to our civilization is seen in Aristotle’s "Poetics". “Poetics” is considered to be similar to the notes that Aristotle used for lecturing his students. He divides poetry in three main styles: tragedy, epic and comedy- primarily concentrating on tragedy and epic poetry. Even though Aristotle had defined structure and principles of the plays, and poetry using observations done at the Greek theatre thousands of years ago, it is still used by the

Antigone's tragic flaws is her loyalty to the gods. Her disloyalty to King Creon is also one her tragic flaws. Antigone can be considered a tragic heroine because she possesses the following defining traits as set by Aristotle's Poetics: 1. The tragic hero possesses an error

become a hero until he can see the root of his own downfall." -Aristotle No one wants to be a tragic hero. A great or virtuous character, but sadly they are destined for downfall because of their own judgement. Sophocles’ Oedipus exemplifies Aristotle’s definition of a tragic hero. Aristotle characterizes a tragic hero as an individual of noble characters whose downfall or destruction is for a greater cause. According to Aristotle “tragedy is an imitation of an action of high importance… acted

attacked at Heorot. As Aristotle points out, reversal and suffering are two critical components in the nature of tragedy (Poetics 30). Reversal being the change in direction of events from good fortune at Heorot to bad fortune; although this should be expected as only good fortune in a poem, or any written work for that matter, would make for a monotonous story. Suffering is another part that makes a poem a tragedy. It involves the pain or destruction of something (Poetics 30). Suffering will also