Aristotle's Poetics

Rating:
Summary: Well It is A good Easy Read But 9 Bucks?
Review: Basically Aristotle's poetics is his outline for how literature should look and what purpose each section, metaphor, sentence, word, and even letter should have. He sums up his ideas about this rather quickly unlike his modern day counterparts. The book is very easy to read, but some sections may need a little bit or re-reading. I read the entire book in about two hours; probably even less and that also accounts for highlighting and annotating it for my own uses and also rereading some parts that I did not understand the first time around.
This book is an invaluable source for anyone who studies literature of any kind. I would suggest this book to any English Literature students, just so that they would know all about the roots. This book is also a great source for writing term papers and whatever else like that.
However, its one failing is that the book cost nine dollars. If you can pick up a copy from the school library or from a teacher that would be recommended, but you probably should not buy it in its new form. (There are cheaper used books, you might want to pick up one of those)

Rating:
Summary: One of the best book written for understanding literature
Review: I learned about Literary criticism from this Aristotle's Poetics more than any other books I read on literature. The experience of discovering our ignorance, and the cause of suffering is not only essential to tragedy, but is essential to our existence as human beings. This book helped me to understand that a good literature captures this moment of knowing, that is marked by certain growth, liberation, and insight to the meaning of our lives. After sufficiently studied Aristotle, I would also recommend comparing this work to the structure of Gospel of Mark, and Martin Hengel's "Literary, Theological, and Historical Problems in the Gospel of Mark."

Rating:
Summary: One of the best book written for understanding literature
Review: I learned about Literary criticism from this Aristotle's Poetics more than any other books I read on literature. The experience of discovering our ignorance, and the cause of suffering is not only essential to tragedy, but is essential to our existence as human beings. This book helped me to understand that a good literature captures this moment of knowing, that is marked by certain growth, liberation, and insight to the meaning of our lives. After sufficiently studied Aristotle, I would also recommend comparing this work to the structure of Gospel of Mark, and Martin Hengel's "Literary, Theological, and Historical Problems in the Gospel of Mark."

Rating:
Summary: Poetry in Poetics
Review: I loved this text! It is amazing and lyrical, an incomparable read! It now lives next to my bed, so that whenever I get the need I can read an extract (even at 2am) without having to search through the library for it.

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Summary: screenwrites guidlines
Review: outstanding, best book for writing, used by many gretA SCREENWRITES INCLUDING gARY rOS WHO HA RECOMMENDED IT TO ME, IF MY CAREER TSKES OFF I OWE IT TO THIS BOOK

Rating:
Summary: Poignant Insights
Review: The ancient observer's insights have stood the test of time. Some elements of human nature remain consistent regardless of the century or technology. Aristotle thought classification was important. In this work he sets forth a taxonomy for poetics. One of the more controversial statements he makes in this book is "poetry is both more philosophical and more serious than history." He doesn't leave it at that, being the philosopher he is he goes on to explain himsself. He adds, "poetry speaks more of what is universally the case, whereas history speaks of particular events." This book will give you a comparison that spans cultures and centuries.

Rating:
Summary: Poetry in Poetics
Review: This book (or perhaps just a portion of Aristotle's lecture notes) remains the acorn of an oak of subjects, from art criticism to playwriting to poetry. This is a clear, accurate translation (it helped me pass a test in Ancient Greek; and people who really know assure me). The text is no-frills and the introduction is brief but informative. This is probably not for scholars who will want to quibble over the meaning of 'phusis' and 'techne' but for the general reader who will be infinitely enriched by a philospical masterwork. Unlike other such masterworks, this one is short and readable!

Rating:
Summary: Where art theory began
Review: This book (or perhaps just a portion of Aristotle's lecture notes) remains the acorn of an oak of subjects, from art criticism to playwriting to poetry. This is a clear, accurate translation (it helped me pass a test in Ancient Greek; and people who really know assure me). The text is no-frills and the introduction is brief but informative. This is probably not for scholars who will want to quibble over the meaning of 'phusis' and 'techne' but for the general reader who will be infinitely enriched by a philospical masterwork. Unlike other such masterworks, this one is short and readable!

Rating:
Summary: An Invaluable Tool For Writers
Review: Well, the only reason anyone would need this book is if they were trying to understand the concepts of literature or if they were planning to write. AH, and if they are, this book is a CRUCIAL STUDY. As an English Major, I encountered WAY TOO MANY critiques that are based on absurd marxist theories. Remember, literature reflects a SPECIFIC TIME, PLACE, AND ERA! I am a devout Anglican and I DO NOT shun Hawthorne's work because much of it is Anti Anglican. I understand that Hawthorne was reflecting an Anti Anglican Period in America. It is absurd to judge literature harshly because it does not fall into contemporary political slots whatever they may be at the moment. This book by Aristotle is a concise, focused, and appropriate look at the concept of literature. He emphasizes the need of close conflicts as opposed to hero versus enemy. He also makes it clear that writing must have recognition and/or reversal at some point. Also, he states the need for surprise events. Another thing he does is he helps us see that some events may be important, but it is better to mention them instead of displaying them. He also stresses the need for characters to play on our fear or pity. While this is more of a reference book, it belongs in the library of any student of literature.