Poetics (Dover Thrift Editions) [Paperback]

Aristotle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 12, 1997 | Series: Dover Thrift Editions

Among the most influential books in Western civilization, the Poetics is really a treatise on fine art. It offers seminal ideas on the nature of drama, tragedy, poetry, music and more, including such concepts as catharsis, the tragic flaw, unities of time and place and other rules of drama.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: Greek

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 14 and up
  
• Paperback: 64 pages
• Publisher: Dover Publications; Unabridged edition (March 12, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 048629577X
• ISBN-13: 978-0486295770
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #374,410 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #25 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Literature & Fiction > Classics > Greek
  • #39 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Nonfiction > Philosophy > Greek & Roman

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent text for intro to theatre course, May 21, 2008

By 

Sophia K (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Poetics (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

This translation uses terminology appropriate for teaching the Poetics to beginning theatre students. It is an excellent version for use in a theatre (as opposed to philosophy) class, and the budget price and slim size of the edition make it a fine bargain for students with limited finances. As a theatre teacher of students from middle school to college, I strongly recommend selecting this particular edition and translation of the Poetics for use in discussing the parts of drama in an introductory course.

1 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Hard To Comprehend Due To The Time It Was Written, July 9, 2005

By 

Raymond A. Mardo "raymardo" (USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Poetics (Dover Thrift Editions) (Paperback)

Aristotle's Poetics is touted as a "Must Read Bible" for writers, and though it's core principles do warrant merit, they are hard to decipher because: they were written so long ago; they reference plays, instruments, even words, that are no longer in use - and sometimes the words are not even translated; they are spelled out with symbols.

I read it, and found it difficult to follow, but it is a quick read. At least I can tell people that I read Aristotle. That is definitely a conversation starter.