From the Bookshelf of Reading Classics, Chronologically Through the Ages…
Find A Copy At
Group Discussions About This Book
No group discussions for this book yet.
What Members Thought
Thank you Angelina Stanford, Cindy Rollins, and Thomas Banks of The Literary Life Podcast for introducing me to this book. I never heard of it but have heard of Aristotle. I was first introduced to him in college and it was a class I enjoyed. Surprised this book isn’t covered in literature classes. It gives the backstory to reading a story based on their terms.
Aristotle dismisses the literary arts as vulgar imitations and then in detail describes how to make the best of it to the particular interest of ancient poet/playwrights and future literary critics.
Although I undoubtedly disagree with Aristotle's strict classifications and recommendations concerning tragedy, Poetics does mark an important, necessary point in literary criticism--especially after his teacher theorized about banishing artists from the ideal republic. Indeed, Aristotle at least lauds the artist in his/her attempt to represent the ideal. In turn, I applaud him for his work.
...more
You can’t really review Aristotle but the translation is clear and the supporting material, as ever with these Norton editions is excellent
Dec 18, 2016
Ashley
marked it as to-read
Feb 13, 2017
Daniel
marked it as to-read
Jun 16, 2018
Leslie
marked it as to-read
Sep 23, 2018
Theresa Wright
marked it as to-read
Dec 30, 2019
Christine
marked it as to-read
Jul 20, 2022
Kayla
marked it as to-read
