Aristotle was a Greek philosopher as well as an apprentice of Plato. He founded a school and studied many different things. One of the things he studied was poetry, or as he referred to it, Poetics. Aristotle’s Poetics consists of a list of principles which he believes makes up “good” literature. These principles include plot, character, thought, diction, melody, and spectacle. Aristotle felt that in order for a piece to be considered “good” literature it must include those things, but was he right? This essay will analyze these principles in the Epic of Gilgamesh. In doing so, it will also determine if Aristotle would consider this origin myth to be “good” literature or not.
Plot is essential to a story. It is generally thought …show more content…
Aristotle considered thought as an idea or theme. He believes that all stories should have some type of message or lesson. Aristotle also described thought as to be the “natural cause from which action springs” (Butcher, "Poetics"). By this he just meant that thought, like character, helps the plot to advance. The Epic of Gilgamesh had several themes within it. The biggest theme of the story is that death is inevitable. Gilgamesh goes on his journey for the simple reason that he wants to live forever. After watching his good friend Enkidu die, he fears his own death. Because of this he becomes jealous that the Gods are immortal and wishes to be like them. His journey leads him to Utnapishtim. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh the story about the flood and ultimately how death is a normal part of life. With that, Gilgamesh, as well as readers, learn that immortality is inevitable—people must die for humanity to continue. With all of that in mind, the Epic of Gilgamesh follows Aristotle’s idea of thought to a …show more content…
The paragraphs above prove that the epic contains all of the elements Aristotle believes are essential to “good” literature. It contains a complex plot and imitates actions that pull at all of a readers emotions, it has character development as well as meaningful thought and diction, and it uses melody and spectacle to enhance the overall perception of the story at hand. With that said, I would have to agree with Aristotle’s assessment. I don’t see how a story would be complete if it wasn’t for the parameters Aristotle laid out. They truly are essential to “good”
Plot is essential to a story. It is generally thought …show more content…
Aristotle considered thought as an idea or theme. He believes that all stories should have some type of message or lesson. Aristotle also described thought as to be the “natural cause from which action springs” (Butcher, "Poetics"). By this he just meant that thought, like character, helps the plot to advance. The Epic of Gilgamesh had several themes within it. The biggest theme of the story is that death is inevitable. Gilgamesh goes on his journey for the simple reason that he wants to live forever. After watching his good friend Enkidu die, he fears his own death. Because of this he becomes jealous that the Gods are immortal and wishes to be like them. His journey leads him to Utnapishtim. Utnapishtim tells Gilgamesh the story about the flood and ultimately how death is a normal part of life. With that, Gilgamesh, as well as readers, learn that immortality is inevitable—people must die for humanity to continue. With all of that in mind, the Epic of Gilgamesh follows Aristotle’s idea of thought to a …show more content…
The paragraphs above prove that the epic contains all of the elements Aristotle believes are essential to “good” literature. It contains a complex plot and imitates actions that pull at all of a readers emotions, it has character development as well as meaningful thought and diction, and it uses melody and spectacle to enhance the overall perception of the story at hand. With that said, I would have to agree with Aristotle’s assessment. I don’t see how a story would be complete if it wasn’t for the parameters Aristotle laid out. They truly are essential to “good”