Poetics, by Aristotle
by Aristotle, 350 B.C. I. 'Imitation' the common principle of the Arts of Poetry. II. The Objects of Imitation. III. The Manner of Imitation. IV. The Origin and Development of Poetry. V. Definition of the Ludicrous, and a brief sketch of the rise of Comedy. VI. Definition of Tragedy. VII. The Plot must be a …