Overview

In this sustained interpretation, Stephen Halliwell demonstrates that Poetics, despite its laconic brevity, contains a coherent statement of mimetic art in general. He assesses this theory against a background of earlier Greek views on poetry and art, particularly Plato's; and he goes further than many previous authors in setting Aristotle's ideas in the wider context of his philosophical system. The core of the book is an appraisal of Aristotle's view of tragic drama, in which Professor Halliwell contends that at the heart of Poetics lies the philosophical urge to work out a secularized understanding of Greek tragedy.

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9780715628584

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Reviews

Stephen Halliwell s Aristotle s Poetics is, quite simply, the best book available on that difficult work. With a rare combination of literary subtlety and philosophical insight, Halliwell demonstrates convincingly that the Poetics must be read in the context of Aristotle s ethical and social thought. Again and again, he shows how this approach enriches our understanding of the text. ... This is a work of fundamental importance for anyone pursuing the study of ancient literature and literary theory.

Author Information

Stephen Halliwell is Professor of Greek at the University of St Andrews. He is the author of The Poetics of Aristotle: Translation and Commentary, also published by BCP, and Greek Laughter: A Study of Cultural Psychology from Homer to Early Christianity.

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