Tragic Pathos
Pity and Fear in Greek Philosophy and Tragedy
Nonfiction, History, Ancient History, Fiction & Literature, Literary Theory & Criticism
| Author: | Dana LaCourse Munteanu | ISBN: | 9781139179423 |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press | Publication: | November 10, 2011 |
| Imprint: | Cambridge University Press | Language: | English |
| Author: | Dana LaCourse Munteanu |
| ISBN: | 9781139179423 |
| Publisher: | Cambridge University Press |
| Publication: | November 10, 2011 |
| Imprint: | Cambridge University Press |
| Language: | English |
Scholars have often focused on understanding Aristotle's poetic theory, and particularly the concept of catharsis in the Poetics, as a response to Plato's critique of pity in the Republic. However, this book shows that, while Greek thinkers all acknowledge pity and some form of fear as responses to tragedy, each assumes for the two emotions a different purpose, mode of presentation and, to a degree, understanding. This book reassesses expressions of the emotions within different tragedies and explores emotional responses to and discussions of the tragedies by contemporary philosophers, providing insights into the ethical and social implications of the emotions.
Scholars have often focused on understanding Aristotle's poetic theory, and particularly the concept of catharsis in the Poetics, as a response to Plato's critique of pity in the Republic. However, this book shows that, while Greek thinkers all acknowledge pity and some form of fear as responses to tragedy, each assumes for the two emotions a different purpose, mode of presentation and, to a degree, understanding. This book reassesses expressions of the emotions within different tragedies and explores emotional responses to and discussions of the tragedies by contemporary philosophers, providing insights into the ethical and social implications of the emotions.
