the rhetoric and the poetics of aristotle

The field of performance arts in the period of Greek antiquity was enormously popular, with the playwrights of the era celebrated and cherished for their storytelling abilities.Īs is typical for Aristotle the work is detailed and thorough, discussing each element of dramatic performance and composition in turn. The Poetics of Aristotle sets out the essential nature of drama and the performing arts.Įach chapter deals with a different element of drama and its composition, discussing the process by which Greek society had come to define its written literature. This well-composed translation of the Rhetoric is by John Henry Freese, a Cambridge historian and scholar of classics who was a notable contributor to the Encyclopedia Britannica. The means by which men imitate one another, and the various different characters of men, are also considered. Other passages are concerned with emotional states relevant to the topic, with emotions such as envy and indignation examined. Aristotle frequently alludes to how able rhetoricians should behave, and how their gifts should be put to best use in the service of the society and the state. The ideals of his forebear and tutor Plato have a presence within Aristotle's works, and Rhetoric is no exception.

Together with the qualities essential in the actual speech, the philosopher also mentions the knowledge which all speakers aspiring to public office should hold ahead of giving speeches. Mindful of the distinctions to be made between speech with an emotional argument, and speech espousing a rational argument, Aristotle examines both while making further subdivisions.

The Rhetoric is translated by Cambridge scholar John Henry Freese, and The Poetics is translated by Oxford scholar of classics Ingram Bywater.Īristotle's legendary treatise on speech explains and instructs on the powers of oratory to move and persuade people.Ĭomposed amid the popular Greek culture, in which aspiring and reigning politicians would perfect the oratorical arts to influence voting and their subjects, Rhetoric is a summation of an art whose poignancy and power could change the face of an entire society. This superb edition contains two of Aristotle's greatest writings in authoritative translations.

The rhetoric and the poetics of aristotle