Aristotelian Poetics: Mimesis and Catharsis
아리스토텔레스의 시학과 카타르시스
The foundational Western treatise on dramatic literary theory asserting that tragedy is the mimesis of serious action structured by plot, eliciting pity and fear to achieve emotional and moral purgation (*catharsis*).
| Field | Literature & Literary Theory · Aesthetics & Art Theory |
|---|---|
| Level of analysis | Micro · Individual |
| Paradigm | Structuralism Virtue Ethics |
| Key figures | 👤 Aristotle (아리스토텔레스) |
| Year | -335 |
Key Claims
Aristotle established classical literary poetics. Poetry is more philosophical and universal than history because it represents what might happen according to probability or necessity. A well-constructed tragic plot achieves the purgation (catharsis) of pity and fear through recognition (anagnorisis) and reversal (peripeteia).
Further Reading
- Aristotle. (ca. 335 BC). Poetics.
Related theories 2개
A foundational normative ethical framework asserting that human flourishing (eudaimonia) is achieved through cultivating virtuous character traits operating at the Golden Mean via practical wisdom (phronesis).
A foundational literary theory asserting that the prime function of art and poetics is "defamiliarization" (ostranenie)—making the familiar strange to disrupt automatized perceptual habits.