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Aristotle’s Theory of Imitation and Tragedy

Aristotle is a Greek philosopher who travelled to Athens to study as a student under Plato. He is the founder of Lyceum. The peripatetic school of philosophy and founder of the Aristotelian tradition. He is considered the genius who has knowledge in many fields and also writes on fields such as physics, biology, zoology, metaphysics, logic, ethics, aesthetics, poetry, music, theatre, rhetoric, etc. (Polymath). Aristotle is the guru of Alexander the Great. His famous and important work is called the Poetics, where he talks about the theory of mimesis and tragedy. He is different from his teacher Plato because Plato hated the concept of mimesis and banished the poets from his utopian state, but Aristotle was quite opposite to his guru; Aristotle had a positive perspective towards arts and mimesis.

Socrates – Plato – Aristotle – Alexander the Great. (In order)

Aristotle’s theory of mimesis, or imitation

1) Aristotle said that although poetry is artistic imitation, it is not merely an act of copying but an act of imagination. Aristotle equated poetry with music. He said that rhythm, language, and harmony are the channels through which artistic imitation is possible.

2) Aristotle said that when an artist makes an object, he incorporates certain universal elements in it. Because of the universality contained in art, art leads to knowledge and to universal truth.

3) Aristotle said that the instinct of imitation is inbuilt in humans since childhood. That is how children learn to do actions such as walk and talk. Imitation is a healthy form of human expression.

4) Aristotle said that since learning and admiring are pleasant, a work of imitation like poetry, painting, or sculpture causes pleasure. The purpose of imitation in art was to provide pleasure by imitating action. Through music, the artist imitates anger, courage, and other qualities and emotions.

5) Aristotle said that every successful drama and poetry teaches morality. Poetry is philosophical in nature and is therefore beneficial for the entire nation.

 

Aristotle’s theory of tragedy

Tragedy is the genre of poetry that concerns serious action. In his poetics, there are 4 significant parts in it.

1) Concept of Mimesis

2) Classification and Treatment of Genres of Poetry

• Epic
• Tragedy (a genre of poetry that concerns serious actions)
• Comedy

3) Six elements of tragedy

4) Catharsis

There are 6 elements of tragedy:

1) Plot (Mythos)

 Aristotle says that there are two types of plots. They are simple plots and complex plots. A simple plot does not have anagnorisis and peripeteia, and a complex plot contains both anagnorisis and peripeteia.

Three Main Parts of a Plot:

• Astonishment: Action that inspires pity and fear in readers. The scene of suffering is called pathos. It is a destructive and painful action, such as death, wounding, bodily agony, etc,
• Anagnorisis: Moment of Discovery. Recognition of a past act or identity of a person.
• Peripeteia: Reversal of situation. The opposite goal is achieved.

 He has called plot 'the soul of tragedy', and he wanted the play to have the below-listed elements. 

a. Completeness: The plot should have a clear beginning, middle & end.

b. Magnitude: The length of the plot should be such that the audience can remember it.

c. Determinate Structure: Every part and scene of the play should be necessary. Even if one scene is removed from a tragedy play, the audience should not understand it.

d. Universality: The main character should behave the way most humans behave in a given situation.

e. Unity of time, action & place

• Unity of time: The play should represent actions that take place for the same amount of time as the play. No leaps of time are allowed.
• Unity of action: The play should be about the actions of the protagonist. No subplots allowed.
• Unity of Place: The play should cover a single physical place. Geography should not be compressed. (The stage should not represent more than one place.)

2) Character (Ethos)

Characteristics of a tragic hero: 

• Must have high status in society.
• Must be good. His goodness should reflect in his speeches.
• Must be true to life.
• His actions should be consistent.
• Hamartia (Tragic Flaw): Error of judgement made accidentally. The hero must have one tragic flaw that will result in his downfall.

3) Thought (Dianoia): The inner questioning that goes on in the mind of the character, which makes him choose one way or another.

4) Language/Diction (Lexis): There are two types of dictions.

• Spoken word (natural conversational speech)
• Sung word (sung by chorus)

Diction helps the audience understand what is a command, a statement, a threat, a prayer, a question, and an answer.

5) Music (Melopoiia): The Greek chorus used a wide variety of tunes and melodies to evoke powerful emotions and poignant memories. Music beautified and intensified tragedy.

6) Spectacle (Opsis): Everything visual in theatre, such as the formation of dancers in the chorus, the costumes, movements, gestures, and hand signs of actors. It is stage scenery.