Poetics Interpretation

Author: Liu Xiaofeng, Chen Shaoming
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-10-01
Features: In Poetics, we can see how closely the understanding of great poets approximates that of philosophers. Plato and Aristotle both say that philosophy begins with wonder, starting from common opinions and recognizing their shortcomings. Great poets, by allowing events to unfold, go beyond common opinions and expectations, evoking our wonder. Tragedy not only exists as a part of political life but also as a part of the whole political structure. The perfection of tragedy also depends on how much it fulfills its function: connecting human life to the greater whole, i.e., nature.