Aristotle: Poetics

Thinking Activity 1.

Hello Friends,

As we know, poetics is very important to study the literature as reading of literature is not enough. There are two significant poetics which helps in studying literature and we speak the word 'study' is itself has much deeper meaning. These two poetics are Western Poetics and Indian Poetics. Here we will discuss Aristotle's poetics and Plato's objection. 

Worthy to note,

'Aristotle's Poetics seek  to address the different kinds of poetry, the structure of a poem and the division of a poem into its components parts.'

This blog is response to this thinking activity:

https://dilipbarad.blogspot.com/2015/08/worksheet-aristotles-poetics-short.html?

1.How far do you agree with Plato’s objection to freedom of expression and artistic liberty enjoyed by creative writers? Name the texts (novels, plays, poems, movies, TV soaps etc which can be rightfully objected and banned with reference to Plato’s objections)

The Dirty Picture

Director: Milan Luthria

Written by: Rajat Arorra

We have to find out that what is the exact problem.  Here, I am taking the example of movie directed by Milan Luthria and written by Rajat Arora. For this movie, as per Plato's objection we can say that freedom of expression and artistic liberty is enjoyed by writers but we can not say that they are enjoying this freedom or liberty as we know that if it is in life, then and then it is in literature. It discovers the realities which is coverd-up by our so-called society.

This movie shows some scenes and dialogues and at the time when movie was released there was much controversy for banning this. But we should stop writers or directors that one can not write or show some things in such a way.

How can we decide any moral concern about particular thinking?

This is exist in our society, near us, then even we are ignoring it, as a part of society.

If morality, philosophical concern or academic value naturally comes than its ok, but it is not compulsory for writer that he should give moral concern through this and in this context writer uses artistic liberty and freedom. We can not say that character of Silk in this movie is bad portrayal because its not all about entertainment or pleasure. It is reflecting the society. As she had was her endowed body, her in-your-sexuality, her seductive moves and her rock hard confidence to carry her through a world that was more than willing to exploit a line woman , seeking sustenance in a man's world. Here is an endearing quality attempts to shock and awe a staid society that thrives on the fake.

2.With reference to the literary texts you have studied during B.A. programme, write brief note on the texts which followed Aristotelian literary tradition (i.e. his concept of tragedy, catharsis, tragic hero with hamartia etc)

According to Aristotle,

"Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude; in the language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament, the several kinds being found in separate parts of the play; in the form of action, not of narrative; through pity and fear effecting the proper purgation-catharsis of these and similar emotions.”

Eligible subjects for tragic heroes according to Aristotle as much as royalities and proceeds with his individualism and applies it to character. We can find this type of subject for tragic hero in Miller's All my sons. May be it can be seen as classical tragedy or Greek tragedy because this play's tragic hero suffers from hubris, his wish of being high industrialist and in his this excessive pride he makes a mistake which leads him to his tragic death. His committing sucide can not be considered as accidents.

Catharsis: When Chris left his house and also left his father we feel pity for his father Joe.

Miller believed that...

“the common man is as apt a subject for tragedy in its highest sense as kings were” (Miller,1998).

3.With reference to the literary texts you have studies during B.A. programme, write brief note on the texts which did NOT follow Aristotelian literary tradition. (i.e. his concept of tragedy, catharsis, tragic hero with hamartia etc.)

I have studied the tragedy Othello written by William Shakespeare in my B.A. praogramme.

Othello's concept of tragedy

Its Shakespearian tragedy. Shakespeare breaks traditional rules and norms of ancient Greek-Aristotle's concept of tragedy. Shakespeare takes more liberty in showing action and to portrate tragic hero. In Shakesperian tragedy, though he follows, doesn't much care about three unities and shows tragic or death scene of protagonist also on the stage.

Tragic hero & his hamartia

Othello is the tragic hero of the play 'Othello'. His extreme jealousy and suspection towards his wife leads him to his tragic end.

Catharsis

When Othello realizes that only because of his his extreme jealousy he has acted without thinking and has killed his innocent beloved-Desdimona, we feel more pity towards him rather than hatred.

4.Have you studied any tragedies during B.A. programme? Who was/were the tragic protagonist/s in those tragedies? What was their ‘hamartia’?

I have studied the tragedy Othello written by William Shakespeare.

Tragic Protagonist: Othello

Hamartia: Othello's Hamartia is his extreme jealousy. Only his anger, jealosy and false suspection leads him to his tragic end. His jealosy and false suspection leads him to his tragic end.

5.Did the ‘Plot’ of those tragedies follow necessary rules and regulations proposed by Aristotle? (Like chain of cause and effect, principle of probability and necessity, harmonious arrangement of incidents, complete, certain magnitude, unity of action etc)

I have studied Othello, Hairy Ape, Ghashiram Kotwal, Tughlaq, All my Sons during my B.A. We can find chain of cause and effect, harmoneous arrangement of incidents certain magnitude but we can not find unity of action in Shakespeare's Othello. Though Shakespeare doesn't take much care for unity of action it is placed among the best tragedies.

Thank you.