Aristotle’s Poetics is the first philosophical account of an art form and the foundational text in aesthetics. The Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Aristotle and the Poetics is an accessible guide to this often dense and cryptic work. Angela Curran introduces and assesses: Aristotle’s life and the background to the Poetics the ideas and text of the Poetics the continuing importance of Aristotle’s work to philosophy todayTable of Contents: 1. Aristotle’s Life and Writings 2. Grounding Principles and Concepts 3. Differentiating the Imitative Arts 4. The Pleasures in Imitations 5. Tragedy Defined 6. The Six Elements of Poetic Composition 7. Philosophy, Poetry and Knowledge 8. The Tragic Emotions, Plot Elements and Patterns 9. Catharsis 10. Comedy and Epic 11. The Distinctive Pleasure of Tragedy 12. The Poetics and Contemporary Aesthetics 13. Conclusion. Index