Poetry


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1 The nature of poetry, its distinction from other arts.
2 The theory of poetry as imitation, the enjoyment of imitation.
3 The object, medium, and manner of imitation in poetry and other arts.
4 The origin and development of poetry, the materials of myth and legend.
5 The inspiration or genius of the poet, the role of experience and imagination, the influence of the poetic tradition.
6 The major kinds of poetry, their comparative excellence.
7 Epic and dramatic poetry.
8 Tragedy and comedy, the theater.
9 Poetry in relation to knowledge.
10 The aim of poetry to instruct as well as to delight, the pretensions or deceptions of the poet as teacher.
11 Poetry contrasted with history and philosophy, the dispraise and defense of the poet.
12 Poetry and emotion.
13 The expression of emotion in poetry.
14 The arousal and purgation of the emotions by poetry, the catharsis of pity and fear.
15 The elements of poetic narrative.
16 Plot, its primacy, its construction.
17 The role of character, its relation to plot.
18 Thought and diction as elements of poetry.
19 Spectacle and song in drama.
20 The science of poetics, rules of art and principles of criticism.
21 Critical standards and artistic rules with respect to narrative structure.
22 The poetic unities, comparison of epic and dramatic unity.
23 Poetic truth, verisimilitude or plausibility, the possible, the probable, and the necessary.
24 The significance of recognitions and reversals in the development of plot.
25 Critical standards and artistic rules with respect to the language of poetry, the distinction between prose and verse, the measure of excellence in style.
26 The interpretation of poetry and myth.
27 The moral and political significance of poetry.
28 The influence of poetry on mind and character, its role in education.
29 The issue concerning the censorship of poetry.


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