The Poetics of Aristotle

Translated by S. H. Butcher

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"The Poetics of Aristotle" by Aristotle is a philosophical treatise written around 335 BCE. This earliest surviving work of Greek dramatic theory examines poetry as an art of imitation, focusing primarily on tragedy, epic, and comedy. Aristotle analyzes how these genres differ in rhythm, character, and narrative presentation, establishing foundational concepts like catharsis and dramatic structure. Though only the section on tragedy and epic survives, this text became a cornerstone of Western literary criticism, influencing centuries of debate about storytelling and artistic creation.

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