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Essay / Research Paper Abstract
This 3 page paper uses Aristotle's guidelines from his "Poetics" to analyze "Hamlet." It argues that we can use Aristotle's methods to explore works written long after his time. Bibliography lists 2 sources.
Page Count:
3 pages (~225 words per page)
File: D0_HVAriHam.rtf
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Unformatted sample text from the term paper:
composed after Aristotle. The Poetics This paper is too short to go into great detail, so well have to use only the most basic of his definitions and guidelines for
what dramatic works should entail. He begins by discussing poetry, then moves to tragedy, which he says is "an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a
certain magnitude; in 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 of these emotions" (Aristotle). By "embellished" language he means language "into which rhythm, harmony and song enter"; and by "separate parts" he
means some should be spoken and some should be sung (Aristotle). Perhaps the most important part of his observation, and one that is always mentioned in connection with him, is
the idea that tragedy should result in "the proper purgation of these emotions" in the audience members. That is, tragedy results in catharsis, the release of great emotion and the
peace that follows such release. Aristotle kindly gives us a ranking for the various aspects of theatrical production. The plot is the most important; next is character; third is "order
in thought - that is, the faculty of saying what is possible and pertinent in given circumstances" (Aristotle). The fourth element is diction, song is fifth (Aristotle). Finally, within the
plot there must be completeness; magnitude (the story must be of some importance); unity of plot - meaning the incidents shown have to be connected and make sense; determinate structure
(if one part of the play is lost the whole ceases to make sense); and universality - this could happen to anyone (Aristotle). To recap, we need a play
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