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Classical Literary Theory

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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George Tabobo
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2K views7 pages

Classical Literary Theory

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.

Uploaded by

George Tabobo
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on 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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