Aristotle’s thoughts on literature

K S SIVAKUMARAN

Further to last week’s notes on idea about arts and poetry let’s understand a few more points, this week too.

* One of the Greek terms he used was Anagnorisis which means disclosure or the revelation of unknown facts or the clearing up of factual misunderstanding- a change from ignorance to knowledge.

* A Greek Tragedy was technically divided into a Prologue, Episode, Exodus, Choric Song, Parados, Stassimon, Strophe, Anti Strophe and Epode.

Deus-Exmachina

* The Prologue was the opening section of a tragedy up to the 1st Chorus. Episode was a piece of dialogue- a section of a tragedy between complete choral songs occupied by recitative dialogues of actors. Exodus was a section of a tragedy after the exist song of a chorus. Chorus Sing was the singing of 13 or 15 people. Parados was the entrance song of the chorus. Stasimon was the choral song recited at intervals in the play. The chorus recited. Strophe was the opening section of a choral ode or a counter term in a choral dance. Epode was the final or summing up section of the choral ode.

* Kosmos was the ritual chant in which both chorus and actors take part.

* Stichomythia was the swift dialogue in a series of single line speeches.

* Agon was contest or conflict in which the protagonist is engaged with his rival or adversary.

Let us now know what the basic features of a Tragic Hero were: He should not be outstanding in virtue or justice. He should not be depraved or vicious. He must fall into misfortune through a false step or a little fault called Hamartia. He must be a member of a great family so that his fall is conspicuous.

Although Aristotle did not recommend Deus-Exmachina it was an attempt to solve a problem through a divine intervention.

Aristotle mentioned the four requirements of characterization. They were:

* A character must be good of its kind but must not be of superlative excellence. He must be true to type- a woman must not be like a man. He must be true to tradition. – True to the original in the saga story. He must have high courage but hasty temper. He must be consistent.

* Aristotle also mentions about Thought on a Tragedy. Dianoia or Thought was the third element in tragedy suggests the intellectual capacity of certain characters- their capacity to stir others’ feelings through arguments or speech.

* Poetry should combine elevation of language with clarity of expression.

* Dramatist should visualize his drama on the stage. He should act the part and gestures himself (in the manner of Stanislavsky’s Method.)

Aristotle also spoke out of the similarities and differences between a Tragedy and an Epic.

* Similarities: They are Narrative; Rules of Completeness and Unity of action are followed. Same literary elements are there except that Epic has not the song or spectacle.

* Differences are: Epic is longer than a Tragedy. Epic has the advantage of change of scene and simultaneous events can be reported. Epic is written in Hexametre and Tragedy in IIambic metre. In Epic there is scope for the improbable and the miraculous.

* Tragedy has all the elements that Epic possesses a song and spectacle. Tragedy can achieve it effect when read as well as performed. Tragedy achieves its effect with the greater brevity and concentration. Tragedy has greater unity than Epic.

The notes given last week and this week columns were gleaned from various sources to help particularly high school students and undergraduates who would like to enrich their understanding of Aristotle’s philosophy of poetry and theatre that were practiced in the Golden Age of Greek Culture. Hope readers found them interesting as well.

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