But the most important of them is the structure of the events.” He goes as far as to say that, “there could not be a tragedy without action, but there could be one without character.” “…every drama alike has spectacle, character, plot, diction, song and reasoning. Plot, and the ability to create a powerful structure, are more important than character or dialogue. What does Aristotle believe the elements of a good story to be? PLOT OVER CHARACTER They believe it gives them credibility, even though a number of them, Tierno and Kitchen, for example, have misread the text. Modern screenwriting gurus love to refer to “Poetics”.Always say you are re-reading him, preferably in the original Greek. But a note of caution – when you are sipping a soy latte poolside in the home of a Hollywood starlet, never tell your hostess that you are reading Aristotle. It gives the screenwriter credibility.It shows how the essence of a good story has not changed in 2,500 years.Unfortunately many screenwriters only make it to paragraph two, surrendering when they encounter the word “dithyrambic”. There are four reasons why the modern screenwriter should read “Poetics”. Unfortunately, the clarity and elegance are mostly in the missing works. Aristotle was admired in the ancient world for his clarity and elegance of style. As “Poetics” was not designed for public consumption some aspects are difficult to understand.

Instead it is a set of notes, possibly lecture notes, compiled for his own use or the use of his students. That book, if it existed, has not survived.

“Poetics” is not a book that was prepared and polished for publication. Without the distraction of different subjects. Seek general principles of good playwriting The result is “Poetics”.Īristotle was able to make comparisons and

Because each year the playwrights were given one theme or topic, Aristotle was able to make comparisons and seek general principles of good playwriting without the distraction of different subjects. Aristotle, the Greek philosopher, sat in the audience and observed. Judges watched the plays from the front row of the theatre, and on the final day chose the winners. (Satyr plays were in the light, burlesque style, and usually contained themes of drinking and overt sexuality). Three playwrights performed three tragedies and one satyr play each – one set of plays per day – in the theatre of Dionysus. Three days of the festival were devoted to the performance of tragic plays. The Dionysia was a religious festival held once a year in ancient Athens to honour the god Dionysus.

Aristotle poetics book