RELATIONS BETWEEN WHOLE AND PART IN ARISTOTLE'S POETICS

Abstract

<p>Aristotle analyzes drama from several different perspectives. As a result, he recognizes several kinds of artistic whole, each with different kinds of constituent parts. This thesis examines the nature of these parts, as well as their relations to each other and to a particular concept of the whole. Aristotle is most interested in drama viewed as an organized combination of incidents. Therefore, the largest part of this thesis is concerned with plot: with the incidents that form a plot and the episodes that express these incidents. The relation between the different elements of tragedy are also discussed. Aristotle is shown to have devised a highly complex account of drama--which, unfortunately, achieves unity and coherence by emphasizing plot at the expense of the other elements.</p>