Nazar Bazmi's Notes

April 17, 2018November 22, 2023

Compare and Contrast between Epic and Tragedy

Introduction : Epic & Tragedy Aristotle’s Poetics includes definition, comparison and differences.

Introduction to Aristotle

Aristotle was born at a Greek colonial town in 384 B.C. He was a philosopher, moralist, psychologist, logician and a literary critic. He was the student of philosophic school of Plato in early age but in his old age he himself runs the school. His major works are literary essays, literary dialogues (except fragments other were lost), constitution of Athens and treatises. He died in 322 B.C.

March 26, 2018November 22, 2023

Tragic Plot

Note: If you have any question about Aristotle’s concept of Tragic Plot, Please, ask in comments.

Who was Aristotle?

Aristotle was born at a Greek colonial town in 384 B.C. He was a philosopher, moralist, psychologist, logician and a literary critic. He was a student of philosophic school of Plato in early age but in his old age he himself run the school. And he died in 322 B.C.

February 1, 2018November 22, 2023

Aristotle’s theory of “Imitation”

Introduction: Aristotle’s concept of Imitation is explained from Poetics point of view.

Plato’s idea of imitation

Plato gives the example of carpenter who is making a bed. The idea of bed in the mind of a carpenter is real and bed is copy of that idea. So the idea of nature by God is real and nature is copy and poet copy the nature, so poetry twice removed from reality. It is a “shadow of shadows“, “copy of copy“.

Aristotle’s concept of imitation

Aristotle’s concept of Imitation or Theory of Imitation is not mere copy but presentation of the ideal reality. Poet does not represent the outward appearance but represents deeper reality. A tragic poet represents the hero better than average which is representation of the idea of human nature, it is not mere representation of outward appearance. He says that poetry deals with ideal reality and the significance of poetic truth that is Universal, essential and permanent.
Aristotle says that poet is creator not mere copier.

Medium of poetry

In the kinds of fine arts like poetry, music and painting the medium of poetry and music is harmony and rhythm but the medium of painting is color and form. So, poetry linked with music not with painting. Language is also common element of poetry and music.

April 3, 2017November 5, 2023

Short questions and answer

Define peripeteia?

The unexpected change or turn of event that brings hamartia to light is called ‘Peripeteia‘.

Define anagnorisis?

Hero’s recognition of error or hamartia is the anagnorisis.

Define catharsis?

Catharsis is emotional release of pity and fear that tragedy has aroused in audience.

Define climax?

When protagonist’s fortune reach its highest point before the falling action that point in tragedy is called climax.

Define burlesque?

Burlesque is large scale parody of not a single poem but whole style of literature is parodied or ridiculed. Language and thought is proper to serious theme being reproduced in trivial or ridicule setting.