Chapter 13 The Poetics

Term 1: Human Nature and Poetry (Aristotle)
Definition 1: Aristotle suggests that it is human nature to write and appreciate poetry, as humans are naturally imitative creatures who learn and delight in works of imitation. Rhythm and harmony also come naturally to humans, leading to the evolution of poetry.
Term 2: Delight in Imitation (Aristotle)
Definition 2: Aristotle points out that humans are fascinated by representations of dead bodies or disgusting animals, even though the actual things would repel them, as evidence that we naturally delight in works of imitation.
Term 3: Learning (Aristotle)
Definition 3: Aristotle suggests that humans can learn by examining representations and imitations of things, and that learning is one of the greatest pleasures.
Term 4: Evolution of Poetry (Aristotle)
Definition 4: As poetry evolved, a division emerged between serious writers (noble characters, lofty hymns/panegyrics) and meaner writers (ignoble characters, demeaning invectives).
Term 5: Tragedy and Comedy (Aristotle)
Definition 5: Tragedy is the grandest representation of the lofty poetic tradition, while comedy represents the mean tradition.
Term 6: Dithyrambs
Definition 6: Improvised songs sung in honor of Dionysus, god of wine, by a chorus of around fifty men and boys, often accompanied by a narrator, representing an early form of tragedy.
Term 7: Aeschylus's Innovation in Tragedy
Definition 7: Reduced the number of the chorus and introduced a second actor on stage, making dialogue the central focus of the poem.
Term 8: Sophocles's Innovation in Tragedy
Definition 8: Added a third actor and introduced background scenery.
Term 9: Third Innovation in Tragedy (Meter)
Definition 9: Tragedy developed an air of seriousness, and the meter changed from a trochaic rhythm (suitable for dancing) to an iambic rhythm (closer to natural conversational speech).
Term 10: Fourth Innovation in Tragedy (Structure)
Definition 10: Tragedy developed a plurality of episodes, or acts.
Term 11: Comedy (Aristotle)
Definition 11: Deals with the ridiculous, which Aristotle defines as a kind of ugliness that does no harm to anybody else. Records of its origins are sketchier due to less historical respect compared to tragedy.
Term 12: Tragedy vs. Epic Poetry (Difference 1)
Definition 12: Tragedy is told in a dramatic, rather than narrative, form and employs several different kinds of verse, while epic poetry employs only one.
Term 13: Tragedy vs. Epic Poetry (Difference 2)
Definition 13: The action of a tragedy is usually confined to a single day, making it much shorter than an epic poem.
Term 14: Tragedy vs. Epic Poetry (Difference 3)
Definition 14: Tragedy has all the elements characteristic of epic poetry, plus additional elements unique to it alone.