continuing from the previous blog on Aristotle
Its Function: poetry
Whatever he says, it becomes clear that the function of poetry, as of the other fine arts is to please. He nowhere says that the function of poetry is to teach. The pleasure that it gives should be regarded as superior to all others because it serves a dual purpose- that of itself and of civic morality.
Its Emotional Appeal:
Aristotle also believes like Plato that poetry makes an immediate appeal to emotions.
He keeps tragedy at the highest form of poetry and says that it arouses the emotions of pity and fear. Plato had considered this as unhealthy for the mind but Aristotle had no such fear. He says that these emotions are aroused with a view to their purgation or catharsis.
Catharsis
He says that everyone has moments of far and pity in life but if we keep accumulating those feelings, they become an alien matter in our soul. In tragedy when the suffering is not our own, these feelings or emotions find an outlet. This relieves our soul.
Observations on Tragedy
Poetry imitates two kinds of actions: the noble actions of good men or mean actions of bad men.
Epic was born from the first one
Satire was born from the second one.
From these in turn arose tragedies and comedies. Tragedies bears relation to epic and comedy to satire.
Therefore, epic and tragedy (imitations of noble actions of good men) are superior to satire and comedy.
According to Aristotle, tragedy is superior to epic as all the epic elements are in a shorter compass.
Its characteristics
Imitation of an action that is serious, complete and of a certain magnitude.
By serious action, Aristotle means, a tale of suffering exciting pity and fear.
Action comprises all the human activities, including deeds, thoughts and feelings. It should be complete, with a beginning, a middle and an end. If in any play, the sequence of beginning, middle and end is mixed, the action or plot is not compete. – loose
Certain magnitude- a plot should have a certain magnitude or a reasonable length, such that ones mind may comprehend it fully in one view or within required time. Reasonable length and time – essential. Neither too long nor too short.
The two other characteristics- artistic ornament and form of action- easily explainable. Artistic ornament- rhythm, harmony and song to enrich the language of the play. Form of action- the speeches and the action make the tale. In tragedy, the story is narrated by living and movable characters.
Its constituent parts:
6 constituent parts in tragedy-
1.Plot
2.Character
3.Thought
4.Diction
5.Song
6.Spectacle
to be continued-