ARISTOTLE: Introduction

à
 The forms [Ú

 

 are not in this
world and can only be known through a process of
education
À Images make up the lowest category of ³objects of
knowledge´ ± art is only ³imitation´

  The ³forms´ [Ú

 that enable
us to understand objects don¶t exist apart from
particular objects.
À The emphasis is on a
aaa as a source of
knowledge
À 
    
 
     

 
 Aristotle¶s Classification of
Knowledge & Human Activities
His starting point: Every activity has its proper end
at which it aims.
  
À includes Metaphysics, Physics and Mathematics
à
!"à    are those where
reason serves human beings.
À à
! These involve "know
how" and include many ³crafts´, including art.
À à  #$ Humans as
AGENTS rather than producers.
 Aristotle: Poetics
In the Poetics Aristotle presents his definition of
the genre, including his theory of ³  ´
%&  
À Everyone knew the stories,
À The plays were performed by men wearing
masks.
À The plays told particular stories with a
universal application. [
  
Ú 



Ú 

.
 Aristotle: Definition of a Tragedy
A tragedy, then is the     that is

, and also, as having  

; in  
  
 ' , each
kind brought in separately in the parts of the work; in a
  , not in a narrative form; with incidents

   ; wherewith to accomplish its
   of such emotions.
.

À [©
 
Ú
  
 
 



   
Ú    
  Ú 

 


Ú
   


 


.
 The 6 Components of a Tragedy
Categorized in terms of ³Ôa ´ [2, Ôa [1 and
its ³
a
 Ô Ô
´ [3
1. à  [
  



2. $#

$ [
  



3. ¦$([ 
. #)%# [
  




. Ô ¦ [ 
6. à$
$  [ 
ARTISTOTLE: Poetics
À Modes of Imitation differ in 3 ways:
À medium, object, structure [ 
À Ô¦)Ô rhythm, language, harmony
À *+$ Men in action are objects of
imitation
À Ô
(( narration/action
ARTISTOTLE: The Text
Part IV: The Causes of Poetry
À  
À  e learn through imitation & take
pleasure in it.
À © Ô a    

Ô
Ô
 Structure of a tragedy
à ,
 -  .
/
À w
  a Ô

  
  

Ô
aa 
a 
  a Ô a
À unity of plot
À express the universal [
Ú

Ú 


À events inspiring fear and pity
À reversal of the situation through recognition [
Ú
 Plot/Characters/Thought
à  is the most important: a   Ô



  a
À ³Character gives us our qualities, but it is by our
actions that we are happy or the reverse.´
$#

$ are the second:
À Representations of an action: the agents have two
causes of their actions: thought and character.
À The comparison with painting: beautiful colors
without order do not give the same pleasure as a
simple black & white sketch or a portrait.
À #)%# is 3rd:
À ³the power of saying whatever can be said.´
 Discussion of the PLOT I
À wÚ


 

  



Ú



  ©

 
 
À -nity of Plot: The plot must represent an
action and form a complete whole with a
beginning, middle and end
À -!   
    &' '
 '   
 ."
 Discussion of the PLOT II
The PLOT "must make a universal statement
À Aristotle believed poetry was more
important than history because poetry
states universals.
À The playwright should include incidents
arousing pity and fear [
  

  !
À That are both unexpected and "in
consequence" of one another.
 ARTISTOTLE: The Text
À Part XIII:   

À Through error or frailty rather than vice or
depravity.
À Part XIV: ü 0à
À rest done through structure of the pieces rather
than spectacle.
À  hat kind of circumstances?
À Part XV: $  
À Good character; propriety; true to life; consistency
 èuestions for Discussion
À  hat criteria do you think Aristotle is
proposing for art in general?
À  hat effect does he think art has on us?
À How can you apply Aristotle to
contemporary art/theatre?
À How does he differ from Plato? How is he
similar?
À How might his view be applied to
representing the holocaust?