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midnighterbae 's review for:
Poetics
by Aristotle
Aristotle applies his empirical, dialectic approach to both epic poetry and tragedy in this early and seminal work of literary criticism. Most of Aristotle's observation are purely subjective, but isn't all art subjective? However, he shows how tragedies are more powerful than epic poems because they focus on a single subject in a single location over a single day to create catharsis. Aristotle also delves into language itself and shows how clearer language can be more effective than the use of metaphors and jargon. (This idea may have been discredited by "true art is incomprehensible" people like James Joyce, T.S. Eliot, E.E. Cummings) His writing style is clear and easy to follow, and much of his ideas like the three act structure, focus on character vs. effects, and the tragic hero being a "good man" with a "flaw" have found their way into the best of modern literature and film.