Essential reading for all students of Greek theatre & literature Aristotles Poetics" remains equally stimulating for anyone interested in literature. This " Penguin Classics" edition is translated with an introduction & notes by Malcolm Heath. In his near-contemporary account of classical Greek tragedy Aristotle examine the dramatic elements of plot character language & spectacle that combine to produce pity & fear in the audience & asks why we derive pleasure from this apparently painful process. Taking examples from the plays of " Aeschylus" " Sophocles" & " Euripides" the " Poetics" introduced into literary criticism such central concepts as mimesis (imitation) hamartia (error) & katharsis which have informed serious thinking about drama ever since. Aristotle explains how the most effective tragedies rely on complication & resolution recognition & reversals while centring on characters of heroic stature idealised yet true to life. One of the most perceptive & influential works of criticism in Western literary history the " Poetics" has informed serious thinking about drama ever since. Malcolm Heaths lucid translation makes the " Poetics" fully accessible to the modern reader. It is accompanied by an extended introduction which discusses the key concepts in detail &
Includes:: suggestions for further reading. Aristotle (384-22 BC) studied at the Academy of Plato for 20 years & then established his own school & research institute The Lyceum. His writings which were of extraordinary range profoundly affected the whole course of ancient & medieval philosophy & are still eagerly studied & debated by philosophers today. If you enjoyed " Poetics" you might like Aristotles " The Metaphysics" also available in " Penguin Classics"."