Aristotle's Theme In Poetics

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Aristotle in Poetic Intoduction: Idealized Imitation of Objects in Tragedy Poetry is a form of imitation. The objects of poetic imitation may be either better than real life, worse than real life, or the same as they are in actual life. Aristotle thus distinguishes between comedy and tragedy, for tragedy involves the imitation of men better than they are in actual life. Hence tragedy presents a character in an idealised form. The tragic poet represents life as it might be, not as it necessarily is. The characters are better than we are. It is, however,, important to understand that the idealisation does not mean that the characters are good in a strictly moral sense. It merely means that the characters live a more complete and intense life than the real men and women dare to in the real world. This is what makes the characters in a tragedy awesome1, as they are on a higher plane than ordinary men and women. Aristotle in his Poetics puts forward a number of characteristics for the ideal tragic hero, which, however, have proved to be quite controversial. Different critics have interpreted them in different manner. The Main Features of the Tragic Character In chapter 15, Aristotle speaks of dramatic characters and the four points to aim at in the treatment of these characters. The four points are : (i) that the characters should be good; • . (ii) that they should be appropriate; (iii) that they should be close to reality or true to life; 1. inspiring a mixed feeling of fear, wonder, and reverence (usually caused by something majestic). (iv) that they should be consistent. (i) Goodness. The first characteristic demanded by Aristotle has struck many critics as somewhat strange and extraordinary. But it is essential to Aristotle’s theory because it is the very foundation for the basic sympathy in the reader or audience, without which tragic emotions cannot be

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