sEM 1: Questions: Unit 1: Aristotle's Poetics
Dilip Barad
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Unit 1: Aristotle’s Poetics
1. The relationship between Criticism and Creativity is a very close and it is very difficult to decide which of these two processes came first. Discuss with reference to various opinions related to the importance of creative writers and critics.
2. On what grounds Plato objected to poetry. Do you agree with Plato’s Objection? Write your defense of poetry against Plato’s objection.
3. Write brief note on Plato’s Objection to Poetry.
4. David Daiches: “In the Poetics Aristotle undertakes to examine the nature and differentiating qualities of imaginative literature with a view to demonstrating that it is true, serious, and useful (whereas Plato has shown it to be false, trivial and harmful).” Substantiate.
5. “Aristotle’s method is essentially one of examining, observing phenomena with a view to noting their qualities and characteristics”. David Daiches. How far do you agree with the statement?
6. “His (Aristotle’s) concern is the ontological one of discovering what in fact literature is rather than the normative one of describing what it should be.” David Daiches. Discuss.
7. “He (Aristotle) is describing, not legislating; yet his description is so organized as to make an account of the nature of literature involve an account of its function, and its value emerges in terms of its function”. David Daiches. Explain it how it is so.
8. Critically discuss Aristotle’s theory of Mimesis and its significance to the study of literature.
9. David Daiches: “One could present characters … on the grand or heroic scale; or one could treat ironically or humorously the pity follies of man; or one could aim at naturalism, presenting man neither heightened nor trivialized.” Explain Aristotle’s classification of poetry in light of this remark.
10. Elucidate Aristotle’s definition of tragedy.
11. Write as essay on nature and function of tragedy.
12. Evaluate Aristotle’s views on Catharsis.
13. Explain Aristotle’s theory of Catharsis.
14. “…by exciting Pity and Fear in us, tragedy enables us to leave the theatre ‘in calm of mind, all passion spent’”. David Daiches. Elucidate Aristotle’s concept of Catharsis in light of this remark.
15. According to F.L. Lucas ‘Catharsis’ means neither purification nor purgation, but just ‘moderation’, the golden mean of Aristotelian Ethics between two undesirable extremes of emotionalism and wont of emotions. How far do you agree with Lucas?
16. David Daiches: “Tragedy gives new knowledge, yields aesthetic satisfaction and produces a better state of mind. This triumvirate of tragedy effectively disposes of Plato’s attack.” Discuss.
17. “A theory, we may unreservedly admit, as pretty as it is poplar, and of interest to us since something of modern psychology, which dwells upon the dangers of repressed desires, is here anticipated.” W. Mcniele Dixon. Do you agree with his psychological reading of Catharsis?
18. What, according to Aristotle, are the elements of tragedy? Which one, according to him, is the most important and why?
19. ‘Plot is the soul’. Elucidate.
20. Discuss upon the elements of Reversal of Situation and Recognition which in Aristotle’s view are necessary in a complex plot.
21. Comment upon Aristotle’s view that the poet should prefer possible improbabilities to impossible probabilities.
22. Explain with illustrations Aristotle’s principles of Probability and Necessity, which should govern a good plot.
23. Discuss the characteristics of tragic hero as expounded by Aristotle.
24. “The tragic hero is ‘a man who is not eminently good and is just yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by some error of frailty.” Discuss.
25. What is ‘Hamartia’? What role does it play in the characteristics of ‘tragic hero’?
26. How does Aristotle distinguish between the poetic truth and the literal truth of historical fact?
27. “Poetry … is more philosophical and a higher thing than history”. Discuss Aristotle’s view on poetry.
28. Why does Aristotle say that Tragedy as an art is superior to Epic?
29. 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)
30. 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)
31. With reference to the literary texts you have studies during B.A./M.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.)
32. Have you studied any tragedies during B.A. /M.A. programme? Who was/were the tragic protagonist/s in those tragedies? What was their ‘hamartia’?
33. 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)
34. What is the relevance of Aristotle’s ‘Poetics’ today?