1. Aristotle and The Poetics
Ancient Greek Philosopher
384 BCE-322 BCE
Works were “lost” when Roman Empire collapsed
Poetics are a collection of notes
Studied under Plato

2. Plato Believed the tragedy was a danger to society
Believed tragedy encourages irrationality
Actors are dangerous
Their acting skills could be used to undermine a society
Theatre was not part of Plato's Utopian Society

3. Aristotle Responded to Plato with the Poetics
Believed tragedy was positive and helpful
Arouses pity and fear
Purges these emotions in the audience and restores harmony in the soul
Catharsis

4. Three unities A way to analyze the plays organizing traits Action Time
Place

5. Unity of Action Plays should have one simple plot
Beginning, middle and an end
No subplots
No multiple or complex plots
Ex. Shakespeare
Ex. Pulp Fiction

6. Unity of Time
Aristotle believed we get the greatest pleasure from plays where the action occurs within one unit of time
Ex. The action in the play Oedipus happens in one day.

7. Unity of Place
Aristotle believed the greatest pleasure comes from plays that are set in one place.
ex. Oedipus
ex. Reservoir Dogs
ex. The Promise

8. Not all plays follow the unities
Brecht
Epic Theatre
No cathartic experience but a call to action
Does not follow action, time or place
Ex. Fear and Misery in the Third Reich

9. How to use the Poetics Renaissance
Poetics were re-discovered.
Foundation for theatre “rules” for tragedy
France
Poetics are just a means to analyze theatre
more of a cookbook than a rule book.