Student Question
What are the modern criticisms of Aristotle's Poetics?
Quick answer:
Modern criticisms of Aristotle's Poetics highlight three main defects: the text is incomplete, especially missing the section on comedy; it focuses only on tragedy and epic, neglecting lyric poetry and other genres of the time; and it addresses a limited range of genres, ignoring non-Greek works and later literary developments like prose fiction. These limitations reduce its applicability to contemporary literary analysis.
There are three main types of defects, from a modern point of view, found in Aristotle's Poetics.
First, the text itself is fragmentary. The final book, which addresses comedy, is no longer extant.
Second, Aristotle treats tragedy and epic but not lyric poetry or other literary genres of his period.
Finally, and perhaps most importantly, Aristotle addresses only a limited number of genres practiced in ancient Greece. He ignores all works in languages other than his own. Moreover, there are many types of literature which have evolved since the time of Aristotle, most notably prose fiction, which Aristotle does not discuss.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.