Aristotle’s Poetics: Revisiting the Legends of Research

Abstract

Research from the time of Plato to this day has passed through several phases and stages, which are interconnected in various subtle and complex ways. The present article aims to revisit these phases at a glance from sixteenth century to the present age. The starting point in this historical survey is naturally a brief reference to its fountain head, namely the literary criticism in antiquity. It basically falls into three heads- 1. Hellenic Period, 2. Hellenistic Period, and 3. Graeco Roman period. Among these, Hellenic period is most significant both intrinsically and historically. In this crucial phase Athens is the most important centre and Plato and Aristotle are the most distinguished and outstanding exponents. Friends the problem of literature and Art is- i. What literature ought to be? ii. What it really is?