The contents of this chapter include all of the following: Plato’s attack on “art”, Aristotle’s early life, the lyceum, works, focus of poetics, focus of poetics, influence of poetics, poetry, tragedy, unity of plot, unity of plot,. | ARISTOTLE’S POETICS PLATO’S ATTACK ON “ART” Plato is notorious for attacking art in Book X of “Republic”. He believed in theory of forms. Art is an imitation twice removed from reality. Art excites emotion which distract the soul from persuing reason which is essential for virtue. ARISTOTLE’S EARLY LIFE “Poetics” is a response to Plato’s attack on art. Aristotle was a student at Plato’s academy from the time he was 17 years old till Plato’s death some twenty years later. He served next 12 years acting as a tutor to Alexander the great and in scientific research. THE LYCEUM Aristotle returned to Athens and found his own school in 335 on the steps of Lyceum(gardens). He continued there until he was forced to leave because of his association with Alexander in 323 . He died a year later due to natural causes. The lyceum remained open till 525 when it was closed by Emperor Justinian. WORKS None of his works were published during his life time. He wrote a number of treatise and . | ARISTOTLE’S POETICS PLATO’S ATTACK ON “ART” Plato is notorious for attacking art in Book X of “Republic”. He believed in theory of forms. Art is an imitation twice removed from reality. Art excites emotion which distract the soul from persuing reason which is essential for virtue. ARISTOTLE’S EARLY LIFE “Poetics” is a response to Plato’s attack on art. Aristotle was a student at Plato’s academy from the time he was 17 years old till Plato’s death some twenty years later. He served next 12 years acting as a tutor to Alexander the great and in scientific research. THE LYCEUM Aristotle returned to Athens and found his own school in 335 on the steps of Lyceum(gardens). He continued there until he was forced to leave because of his association with Alexander in 323 . He died a year later due to natural causes. The lyceum remained open till 525 when it was closed by Emperor Justinian. WORKS None of his works were published during his life time. He wrote a number of treatise and dialogues but none survived. What survived are collection of notes for lectures he used to give which are often unclear and incomplete. The “Poetics” is supposed to be a much longer work than what we have today. He was supposed to have written another book about “comedy” which did not survive. FOCUS OF POETICS The focus of poetics is “Tragedy”nutritious. Tragedies were performed in Athens twice a year at festivals celebrating Dionysus(the god of wine and excess) Tragedies had religious beginning but they became secular over a period of time. The dramatic festivals were of immense importance and the winning playwright achieved great success. FOCUS OF POETICS The “Poetics” also discusses Epic poetry using the example of Homer almost exclusively. Homer wrote Illiad and odyssey which deal with the fall of Troy and ‘odysseus's subsequent wanderings. These epics are sources of many tragedies and earliest of great literature of world. INFLUENCE OF POETICS Has great influence on literary theory .
