A History of Literary Theory and Criticism Flashcards

A set of vocabulary flashcards based on the history of literary theory, focusing on the philosophical perspectives of Plato and Aristotle regarding poetry, reality, and the components of tragedy.

Literature

A term used to encompass poems, stories, dramas, etc., in both their written and spoken forms.

The Transcendentals

The core aspects of Plato's philosophy and criteria for judging literature: Truth, Beauty, and Goodness.

Plato

A philosopher (c. $427 - 347\,\text{BC}$) who laid the foundations of pivotal discussions on literary theory and critiqued poetry as an imitation twice-removed from reality.

Ultimate Reality

In Plato's philosophy, this is a spiritual reality containing ideal forms, of which the material world only contains shadows.

Twice-removed from reality

Plato's description of literature because writers imitate the material world, which is itself an imitation of the spiritual/ideal reality.

Aristotle

A philosopher (c. $384 - 322\,\text{BC}$) who approached literature with general principles in his work Poetics and viewed imitation as a natural human trait.

Poetics

Aristotle's work that approaches literature, especially tragedies, with general principles and responds to many of Plato's arguments.

Hamartia

A tragic flaw in the protagonist of a tragedy.

Hubris

Excessive pride exhibited by a tragic hero.

Peripeteia

The reversal of fate for the protagonist in a tragedy.

Anagnorisis

An important revelation or discovery made by a character in a tragedy.

Nemesis

The punishment received by the tragic hero for their actions or hubris.

Catharsis

A release of emotion felt by the audience, specifically feelings of pity and fear, in response to the downfall of the protagonist.

Noble Birth

An element of the tragedy example indicating the high social status of the protagonist.