A LOOKOUT AT ARISTOTLE'S POETICS

Poetics is like a guidebook for storytelling, focusing mostly on tragedy (a type of serious play where things often end badly for the main character). Aristotle wanted to figure out what makes a story powerful and how it can move an audience emotionally. He looked at plays from his time, like those by Sophocles (who wrote Oedipus Rex), to come up with his ideas.

KEY IDEAS IN POETICS

Tragedy: A Story That Stirs Emotions Aristotle says a tragedy is a story that imitates real life but in a dramatic way. It’s not just any sad story—it’s one that makes the audience feel pity (for the characters’ suffering) and fear (because it could happen to anyone). By the end, the audience feels a sense of relief or “catharsis,” like they’ve processed those big emotions.

For example, in a tragedy like Oedipus Rex, the main character, Oedipus, faces a terrible fate. The audience feels sorry for him and scared because his mistakes could happen to anyone. Watching his story helps people release those heavy feelings.

The six parts of tragedy Aristotle says every good tragedy has six key ingredients, and he ranks them by importance:

Plot (Story): The most important part. The plot is the sequence of events in the story. It should be clear, logical, and surprising but believable. A good plot keeps the audience hooked.

Character: The people in the story should feel real and have clear motivations. The main character in a tragedy is usually good but flawed, which leads to their downfall.

Thought: This is the deeper meaning or message in the story, like a lesson about life.

Diction: The words the characters use. They should sound natural but powerful.

Song: Music or poetic language, often used in Greek plays to set the mood.

Spectacle: The visual elements, like costumes or stage effects. Aristotle says this is the least important because a good story doesn’t need fancy visuals to work.

A Good Plot Needs Unity Aristotle believed a story should feel like one complete thing, not a bunch of random events. He called this the “unity of action.” Every part of the story should connect to the main plot, and there shouldn’t be unnecessary side stories. A good plot has a beginning, middle, and end that flow together naturally.

The Tragic Hero’s Flaw In a tragedy, the main character (the tragic hero) is usually a good person but has a flaw, called hamartia. This flaw, like pride or ignorance, leads to their downfall. For example, Oedipus’s flaw is that he doesn’t know his true identity, which causes his tragic end. Aristotle says the best tragic heroes aren’t perfect or evil—they’re relatable, like us.

Reversal and Recognition Aristotle loved two plot twists in tragedies:

Reversal (Peripeteia): When things suddenly change for the worse. For example, a hero thinks they’re winning, but then everything falls apart.

Recognition (Anagnorisis): When the hero realizes something shocking, like their true identity or a mistake they made. These moments make the story more emotional and gripping.

Comedy vs. Tragedy Aristotle also talks about comedy, though he focuses less on it (part of Poetics about comedy is lost). He says comedies are about ordinary people and funny situations, while tragedies are about noble characters and serious events. Both can teach us something, but tragedies hit deeper emotions.

WHY DOES POETICS MATTERS  ? 

Aristotle’s ideas are still used today because they explain why we love stories—whether in books, movies, or TV shows. His thoughts about plot, character, and emotional impact help writers create stories that grab our attention and make us feel something. For example, modern movies like The Lion King or Titanic follow Aristotle’s ideas: they have a clear plot, flawed characters, and moments that make us cry or feel inspired.

How to Use Aristotle’s Ideas

If you’re writing a story, here’s how you can apply Poetics:

Make your story clear and focused—stick to one main plot.

Create characters who are relatable but have flaws that lead to big consequences.

Add surprises or twists to keep the audience engaged.

Aim to stir emotions, whether it’s sadness, fear, or joy.

Make sure every part of your story matters and connects to the whole.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

Aristotle’s Poetics is like a timeless recipe for telling great stories. It reminds us that a good story isn’t just about what happens—it’s about how it makes us feel. Whether you’re watching a movie, reading a book, or writing your own tale, Aristotle’s ideas can help you understand why some stories stick with us forever.

So, next time you’re caught up in a gripping movie or play, think about Aristotle—he figured out the magic of storytelling over 2,000 years ago!

PLATO'S OBJECTIONS TO ARTISTIC FREEDOM

 WHO WAS PLATO ? 

Plato was a student of Socrates, another great philosopher, and he wrote many books about big ideas like truth, justice, and how society should work. One of his most famous works is The Republic, where he shared his thoughts on art and why it could cause problems if artists had too much freedom.

WHAT  DID  PLATO  THINK  ABOUT  ART ? 

Plato loved beauty and creativity, but he was suspicious of art. To him, art wasn’t just about making something pretty—it could shape people’s thoughts and feelings. Here’s why he was worried:

Art Isn’t Real: Plato said the world we see is like a shadow of a perfect, true world. For example, a painting of a tree is just a copy of a real tree, which is already a copy of the perfect idea of a tree. So, art is far from the truth and can mislead people.

Art Stirs Emotions: Plato thought art, like poetry or drama, could make people too emotional. A sad play might make you cry, but Plato believed this could make you weak or irrational. He wanted people to focus on reason, not feelings.

Art Can Corrupt: In Plato’s ideal society, everyone has a role to play, like soldiers or leaders. He worried that art could inspire people to act in ways that didn’t fit their roles. For example, a poem about rebellion might encourage people to disobey rules.

Artists Have Too Much Power: Plato thought artists could influence society in harmful ways. If they created stories or images that showed bad behavior, people might copy it. He wanted art to teach good morals instead.

WHY LIMIT ARTISTIC FREEDOM ? 

Because of these concerns, Plato suggested controlling art in his ideal society. He believed the government should decide what kind of art was allowed. Only art that promoted good values, like courage and honesty, should be created. Anything that encouraged bad behavior or confused people about truth should be banned.

For example, Plato didn’t like some of the popular Greek stories (like those about gods acting selfishly) because he thought they set a bad example. He wanted art to inspire people to be better, not lead them astray.

WHY PLATO'S IDEAS MATTERS  ? 

Plato’s objections make us think about the role of art in our lives. Should artists be completely free to create whatever they want, even if it’s harmful? Or should there be some rules to protect society? These questions are still debated today, like when people argue about violent movies, music lyrics, or social media content.

While we might not agree with Plato’s strict ideas, his thoughts remind us that art has power. It can inspire, teach, or even cause trouble. Understanding Plato helps us think about how art shapes our world.

FUN FACT ABOUT PLATO AND ART

Plato’s teacher, Socrates, didn’t talk much about art, but Plato used his ideas to build his own theories.

Plato founded a school called the Academy, one of the first universities in the world!

Even though Plato criticized art, he wrote his books in a creative, storytelling style, almost like art itself.

FINAL THOUGHTS 

Plato’s objections to artistic freedom show how much he cared about building a perfect society. He saw art as a powerful force that could either help or harm people. While we might enjoy the freedom artists have today, Plato’s ideas challenge us to think about the impact of what we create and consume.

What do you think? Should art be free, or should there be limits? Share your thoughts below!

SOCRATES:THE FATHER OF WESTERN PHILOSOPHER

 WHO WAS SOCRATES? 

Socrates was born around 470 BCE in Athens, Greece, and lived until 399 BCE. He wasn’t rich or famous during his lifetime, and he didn’t write any books. Instead, he spent his days talking to people in the streets, markets, and public spaces of Athens. He asked questions, listened carefully, and made people think deeply about their beliefs.

Socrates wasn’t a teacher in a classroom. He didn’t claim to know all the answers. In fact, he famously said, “I know that I know nothing.” This meant he believed true wisdom comes from admitting you don’t have all the answers and always seeking knowledge.

THE SOCRATES METHOD : Asking Questions to Learn

Socrates had a special way of teaching called the Socratic Method. Instead of telling people what to think, he asked them questions. For example, if someone said, “I know what courage is,” Socrates might ask, “What does courage mean to you?” or “Can you give an example?” These questions helped people think harder and understand their own ideas better.

This method is still used today in schools, law, and even therapy! It encourages people to question their assumptions and find clearer answers.

HIS BIG IDEAS

Socrates cared about how people should live good lives. Here are some of his key ideas:

Question Everything: Socrates believed we should always ask “why” and not just accept things as they are. This helps us find truth and grow wiser.

Live with Virtue: He thought being a good person—honest, fair, and kind—was more important than being rich or powerful.

Know Yourself: Socrates said, “Know thyself.” He believed understanding your own thoughts and actions is the key to a meaningful life.

WHY WAS SOCRATES CONTROVERSY? 

Socrates wasn’t afraid to challenge powerful people. He asked tough questions about their beliefs, which sometimes made them angry. He also encouraged young people to think for themselves, which worried some leaders in Athens. They thought he was causing trouble.

In 399 BCE, Socrates was put on trial. He was accused of disrespecting the gods and corrupting the youth of Athens. At his trial, he defended himself by saying he only wanted to help people think and live better. But the court found him guilty and sentenced him to death by drinking poison. Even in his final moments, Socrates stayed calm and true to his beliefs.

SOCRATES'S LEGACY

Even though Socrates didn’t write anything down, his ideas lived on through his students, like the philosopher Plato. Plato wrote about Socrates’ life and teachings, and those writings inspired countless others, including another famous philosopher, Aristotle.

Today, Socrates is remembered as one of the founders of Western philosophy. His ideas about questioning, truth, and living a good life are still studied in schools and discussed around the world.

FUN FACTS ABOUT SOCRATES 

He was known for walking barefoot and wearing simple clothes, even in cold weather!

Socrates was married to a woman named Xanthippe, and they had three sons.

He served as a soldier in Athens’ army before becoming a philosopher.

His habit of asking tough questions earned him the nickname “the gadfly of Athens,” like a pesky fly that keeps buzzing around.

WHY SOCRATES MATTERS TODAY

Socrates teaches us to be curious, ask questions, and think for ourselves. In a world full of information, his ideas remind us to dig deeper and not just believe everything we hear. Whether you’re a student, a teacher, or just someone who loves learning, Socrates’ story shows that asking “why” can change the way you see the world.

So, next time you’re curious about something, channel your inner Socrates—ask questions, listen, and keep searching for the truth!

POST-TRUTH