The engagement with Aristotle's newly rediscovered "Poetics" is fundamental to the beginnings of modern literary theory in 16th century Italy. Based on present-day research into Aristotle, Brigitte Kappl takes central themes from the "Poetics" (poetry as imitation, action and character, tragic flaw, cathartic effect) to examine whether and to what extent the literary theory of that age actually presents a 'rationalistic' or 'moralistic' reinterpretation of Aristotle's theory, as is usually maintained.
Author Biography
Brigitte Kappl, Philipps-Universitat Marburg.
