Logic, Poetry - General & Miscellaneous, Ethics & Moral Philosophy - Theoretical, General & Miscellaneous Drama - Literary Criticism, Literary Styles & Movements - Fiction, General & Miscellaneous Ancient Literature - Literary Criticism, General & Miscell

The Poetics of Aristotle

Name: The Poetics of Aristotle
Author: Aristotle
ISBN: 9781614270362

by Aristotle, S H Butcher (Compiler)

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Overview

2011 Reprint of 1911 Fourth and Revised Edition. Full facsimile of the original edition, not reproduced with Optical Recognition Software. Edited with critical notes and a translation by S.H. Butcher. All Greek characters are reproduced. Butcher's translation is one of the better, if not the best, translation of this important on literary theory. "Aristotle's Poetics" is the earliest-surviving work of dramatic theory and the first extant philosophical treatise to focus on literary theory. In it, Aristotle offers an account of what he calls "poetry" (a term which in Greek literally means "making" and in this context includes drama-comedy, tragedy, and the satyr play-as well as lyric poetry, epic poetry, and the dithyramb). He examines its "first principles" and identifies its genres and basic elements; his analysis of tragedy constitutes the core of the discussion.

About the Author, Aristotle

Aristotle (384 BC-322 BC) was a Greek philosopher and teacher. Together with Socrates and Plato, Aristotle is one of the fathers of Western Philosophy. Born in Stageira in northern Greece, his father (Nicomachus) was the personal physician to King Amyntas of Macedon. Aristotle (meaning 'the best purpose') was raised as a member of the aristocracy. Aristotle went to Athens at eighteen to continue his education, where he became a student of Plato. In 343, Aristotle was invited to tutor Alexander, son of Phillip II of Macedon (Alexander the Great). While Aristotle's writings covered many subjects, they were the first to create a comprehensive system of Western philosophy, encompassing morality, aesthetics, logic, science, politics, and metaphysics.