The Canon Library
Cover of Poetics

Ancient · Literary criticism

Poetics

by Aristotle. The foundational Western analysis of dramatic form explains plot, character, imitation, reversal, recognition, and catharsis.

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Date
c. 335 BCE
Origin
Ancient Greece
Era
Ancient
Genre
Literary criticism
Difficulty
Moderate
Length
Short
Collection
The Western Canon

Subjects and themes

TragedyPlotImitation

Why it matters

The foundational Western analysis of dramatic form explains plot, character, imitation, reversal, recognition, and catharsis.

This work is included in the collection on the basis of great books. Its cataloged influence level is 5 out of 5.

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Reading path

Essential 100

A century of works that gives the broadest useful first view of the Western canon. 100 books · Advanced.