Poetics

Here's a copy of Poetics by Aristotle – a paperback shipped free from our Denver warehouse. Runs to about 72 pages, so it's the sort of book that's just as happy on a coffee table as on a shelf.

What it's about

One of the earliest surviving works on dramatic and literary theory, Aristotle’s Poetics is a detailed account of poetic art. Aristotle further classifies it into verse drama, lyric poetry, and epic poetry. Poetics begins with a defense of poetry as opposed to Plato’s criticism of it. Aristotle argues that the mimetic nature of poetry does not make it irrational or incapable of portraying the truth, as Plato suggests. Instead, he sees poetry as a means to improve the existing society, thereby making poets both imitators and creators. However, the main area of discussion in Aristotle’s Poetics is concerned with Drama and, in extension, Tragedy. While Aristotle discusses Comedy as a relevant genre of verse drama, he places Tragedy at a higher pedestal, even higher than Epic Poetry. The main role of Tragedy, he suggests, is to purge the spectators through catharsis or tragic pleasure by producing a feeling of fear and pity in the spectators. Aristotle gives a detailed explanation of the different elements of a Tragedy that are crucial for catharsis. Poetics is a detailed account of literary theory that is still used as a crucial reference for modern-day poetry and drama.

Book details

• Author: Aristotle
• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• Pages: 72
• Publisher: V&S Publishers
• Published: (01/07/2022)

Frequently asked questions

Is Poetics available in paperback or hardcover?

This listing is for the paperback edition of Poetics.

What language is this edition in?

This edition is in English.

Who wrote Poetics?

Poetics is written by Aristotle.

How fast does Bookston ship?

Shipping is free on every order, with no minimum. We ship within the United States only; orders leave our Denver, Colorado warehouse in 1–2 business days and usually arrive within 5–7 business days.

What if the book arrives damaged or isn't what I expected?

You have 30 days from delivery to return it in new condition for a full refund. If it arrived damaged, defective or wrong, we cover the return shipping.