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 Whole.

VIII.

The Plot must be a Unity.

IX.

(Plot continued.) Dramatic Unity.

X.

(Plot continued.) Definitions of Simple
and Complex Plots.

XI.

(Plot continued.) Reversal of the Situation,

XII.

The 'quantitative parts' of Tragedy defined.

XIII.

(Plot continued.) What constitutes Tragic
Action.

XIV.

(Plot continued.) The tragic emotions
of pity and fear should spring out of the Plot itself.

XV.

The element of Character in Tragedy.

XVI.

(Plot continued.) Recognition: its various
kinds, with examples.

XVII.

Practical rules for the Tragic Poet.

XVIII.

Further rules for the Tragic Poet.

XIX.

Thought, or the Intellectual element,
and Diction in Tragedy.

XX.

Diction, or Language in general.

XXI.

Poetic Diction.

XXII.

(Poetic Diction continued.) How Poetry
combines elevation of language with perspicuity.

XXIII.

Epic Poetry.

XXIV.

(Epic Poetry continued.) Further points
of agreement with Tragedy.

XXV.

Critical Objections brought against Poetry,
and the principles on which they are to be answered.

XXVI.

A general estimate of the comparative
worth of Epic Poetry and Tragedy.

———

Conclusion

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