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    Classical Literary Theory

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    George Tabobo
    The document provides an overview of key concepts in classical literary theory, including mimesis, censorship, the purpose of literature, language levels, and catharsis. It defines each concept and asks questions about how they may apply when analyzing a work of literature.

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    Classical Literary Theory

    Uploaded by

    George Tabobo
    1K views7 pages
    The document provides an overview of key concepts in classical literary theory, including mimesis, censorship, the purpose of literature, language levels, and catharsis. It defines each concept and asks questions about how they may apply when analyzing a work of literature.

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    Classical-Literary-Theory

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    The document provides an overview of key concepts in classical literary theory, including mimesis, censorship, the purpose of literature, language levels, and catharsis. It defines each concept and asks questions about how they may apply when analyzing a work of literature.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pptx, pdf, or txt
    1K views7 pages

    Classical Literary Theory

    Uploaded by

    George Tabobo
    The document provides an overview of key concepts in classical literary theory, including mimesis, censorship, the purpose of literature, language levels, and catharsis. It defines each concept and asks questions about how they may apply when analyzing a work of literature.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
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    Classical Literary

    Theory
    Mimesis, Censorship, Purpose of Literature,
    Language Levels, and Catharsis

    KC Daniel Inventor
    Mimesis

     Aristotle in his Poetics (Art imitates life)


     A process of imitation or mimicry
     Artistic pursuits (Greek Drama) mimic people, places, events,
    conditions (reality, nature, life)
     Art’s reflection and reinterpretation of the world around it
     Visual mimesis (visual arts)
     Literary mimesis ( Behavioral Mimesis – characters mirror actual
    human responses to real-life scenarios and Vocal Mimesis – writing
    in a particular speech pattern that is appropriate for the character)
     Is there mimesis in a work of literature? In what way does it show
    the concept of mimesis?
    Censorship

     Plato coined and advocated the term in his work “The


    Republic”
     Suppression of language, art, etc. that is considered
    harmful, sensitive, or immoral to the public eye
     Euripides – Speaking freely is a right of freeborn men
     Whether to censor or not a particular art that mimics life
     Should a particular text be censored or not? Why? What are
    the pros and cons of censoring a piece of literature?
    The Purpose of Literature
     Horace – Dulce et Utile (sweet and useful)
     Dulce – to entertain the audience
     Utile – to teach the audience a lesson
     Opposed by Modernists and Post-Modernists (claim that
    art can be made solely for itself – entertainment)
     Art for art’s sake and art with social purpose
     Does the text teach or entertain, or both? In what way?
    What does it teach? How does it entertain?
    Language Levels in Literature
     Longinus – levels of language in literature
     Low – a work that utilizes “poor” language (slang, vulgar words,
    and disruption of language, etc.)
     Mid – a work that utilizes the vernacular or everyday language of
    the common people
     High – follows correct and appropriate grammar/ syntax
     Sublime – Excellence in language that creates a power to
    provoke the reader/ audience (produce sensations of awe or
    even pain)
     What level of language is used in the text? Is there a
    combination of levels? In what way does it utilize a particular
    level of language?
    Catharsis
     Aristotle’s Poetics
     The purgation of emotion such as pity and fear when
    watching a Greek tragedy
     Flushing these emotions from the viewer’s system that
    leads to purification of the emotions
     by feeling fear and pity – sensibilities and our capabilities
    to feel and be moved
     The feeling of being washed or cleansed
     Is the work cathartic? In what way does it show catharsis?
    Applying the Classical Literary
    Theory
    Your analysis must answer the following questions:

     Is the work mimetic? In what way does it show the concept of


    mimesis?
     Should a particular text be censored or not? Why? What are the pros
    and cons for censoring a piece of literature?
     Does the text teach or entertain, or both? In what way? What does it
    teach? How does it entertain?
     What level of language is used in the text? Is there a combination of
    different levels? In what way does it utilize a particular level of
    language? How does the use of language affect its vocal mimesis?
     Is the work cathartic? In what way does it affect you as an audience?

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