

Aristotle on How to Tell Story
4 snips 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.
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Storytelling as Imitation
- Storytelling uses different media, objects, and manners to imitate actions.
- These include rhythm, language, melody, character portrayal, and narration style.
Origins of Poetry
- Poetry originates from our natural inclination to imitate and our enjoyment of rhythm and melody.
- Early poetry evolved into serious forms like hymns and less serious forms like satires.
Tragedy's Evolution
- Tragedy evolved from dithyrambic choruses, developing through innovations like increasing actors and adding scenery.
- Aeschylus increased actors to two, Sophocles to three, and the art form shifted from trochaic tetrameter to iambic trimeter.