1. AP Literature and Composition
November 17, 2009
Ms. Cares

2. Agenda:
Aristotle’s Poetics - Key definitions that we didn’t get to yesterday and that you need for your quiz. The quiz is pushed to tomorrow. 
The Myth of Oedipus - What do we need to know before we begin reading? Get your acting hats on…

3. Art differs in what and how it imitates.
Aristotle’s Poetics:
All art is imitation.
Art differs in what and how it imitates.
Aristotle’s Poetics is a direct reflection of his teacher’s -- Plato’s -- treatise, The Republic.

4. Plato’s The Republic:
According to Plato's Theory of Forms, objects in this world are imitations or approximations of ideal Forms that are the true reality. A chair in this world is just an imitation of the Form of Chair.

5. Aristotle’s definition of comedy:
“Comedy is…an imitation of characters of a lower type, not, however, in the full sense of the word bad… It consists in some defect or ugliness which is not painful or destructive.”
Comedy imitates the imperfect and grotesque; however, it does not cause harm or hurt.

6. Aristotle’s Poetics - Tragedy
Aristotle praises Oedipus the King as the model of a perfect tragedy.
Using Sophocles’ play, Aristotle defined tragedy as “an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude.”
He also stated that tragedy triggers two emotions: pity and fear.

7. History of Tragedy
Tragedy stems from earlier drama that was religious in nature.
The original religious plays usually dealt with issues regarding fate in human life and the relationship between gods and mortals.
Greek tragedies maintain these qualities.

8. Tragic Hero
A tragic hero is a dignified or noble character who is central to the drama.

9. Tragic Flaw
The tragic hero possesses a defect, or TRAGIC FLAW, that brings about or contributes to his or her own downfall.
Examples: poor judgment, pride, greed, narcissism, etc.

10. Tragic Flaw continued …
The flaw may also be something that is otherwise valued in society, but the tragic hero possess too much/an extreme version of the flaw.
For example: Ambition in Macbeth
Ambition is often an admirable quality, but in Shakespeare’s play, the tragic hero, Macbeth, possesses too much, which ultimately leads to his death.

11. Dramatic Irony
Often, the hero is unaware of some information that the audience knows.
This may include knowing that the character possesses too much of a particular trait.

12. Catharsis
Definition: a purifying or figurative cleansing of the emotions, especially as an effect of tragic drama.
Arguably, one of the reasons why we need art: to cope with those things that would be otherwise too difficult to process.

13. Catharsis
We enjoy watching tragedies because we can empathize with the emotions the tragic hero undergoes throughout the drama.
We feel what the hero feels, yet we do not have to endure the trial that the hero endures.

14. Other definitions from Poetics:
Plot = action; “the soul of a tragedy”
Character = ethos; distinct qualities that are ascribed to “an agent”
Thought = something that is proven to be or not to be or a generally accepted truth. The argument or main idea.
Diction = meaning of words (word choice)
Spectacle = the setting

15. The Myth of Oedipus Skit
In your groups of 4-5, create a skit that captures the myth of Oedipus.
You can be as creative as you would like, but the skit needs to be either a comedy or a tragedy as per Aristotle’s definitions.
You need to write one script for the group.

16. Review Aristotle’s Poetics.
Homework:
Review Aristotle’s Poetics.
Study his definitions of the provided key terms.
Be prepared for tomorrow’s quiz.
Bring your textbook to class tomorrow.