The Daily Stoic
Aristotle on How to Tell Story
Aug 7, 2022
In this enlightening discussion, Aristotle, the Ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, dives into the art of storytelling. He emphasizes its pivotal role in communication and thought, drawing from his work in Poetics. Aristotle unpacks the nuances of various poetic forms—epic, tragic, and comedic—highlighting character representation and moral implications. He also explores how storytelling and poetry evolve through history, revealing humanity’s innate talent for imitation and expression. This conversation is a treasure trove of wisdom for writers and readers alike.
21:23
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Quick takeaways
- Storytelling uses different modes to create imitations through colors, shapes, voices, and language.
- Different art forms depict characters as better, worse, or similar to the audience in tragic or comic imitations.
Deep dives
Introduction: Storytelling is Imitation
The podcast episode explores the concept of storytelling as a form of imitation. It discusses how different art forms, such as poetry, music, and dance, use various media to create imitations. It emphasizes the importance of storytelling through different modes, such as colors and shapes, voices, and language. The episode also highlights the Princeton University Press' Ancient Wisdom for Modern Readers series and features an excerpt from Aristotle's Poetics, discussing the origins of tragedy and comedy and their impact on communication of ideas.
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