Poetics: The Philosophy of Poetry: An Anthology of Classic Essays - Paperback

by J. M. Beach (Author)

Growing out of the mytho-poetic devices of oral cultures, specifically within ancient Greece, came a conceptual tradition of "poetics" - often a formulaic activity whereby an analytical definition of poetry would be put forth followed by a discussion of how poetry worked and why it was (or wasn't) important. The two most influential poetics of the ancient world were authored by two Greek conceptual thinkers writing in a tradition that would come to be known as "philosophy: " Plato (a student of Socrates) and Plato's brilliant student-successor Aristotle. This book is a collection of famous essays on the theory of poetry from ancient Greece to 19th century England. Meno, by Plato Ion, by Plato Selections from The Republic, by Plato Chapter II Chapter III Chapter X The Poetics, by Aristotle An Apology for Poetry, by Philip Sidney Timber, by Ben Jonson Essays on Poetry, by William Wordsworth 1. Of the Principles of Poetry & The 'Lyrical Ballads ' 2. Of Poetic Diction 3. Poetry as a Study 4. Of Poetry as Observation & Description 5. Of 'The Excursion' Selections from Biographia Literaria, by Samuel Taylor Coleridge A Defence of Poetry, by P. B. Shelley

Author Biography

J. M. Beach is a lecturer at the University of Texas, San Antonio. He has advanced degrees in English, History, Philosophy, and Education. He has been a teacher and educational administrator for over fifteen years. Beach has taught many subjects in the Humanities to a broad range of students, from pre-school all the way to university, in public and private schools, in the U.S., South Korea, and China. Previously Beach was a Lecturer at Oregon State University, the University of California, Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, and at several community colleges in Southern California and Central Texas. Beach's scholarly research focuses on several distinct, but interrelated subjects: The philosophy of knowledge, the science of culture and social institutions, the history and philosophy of education, and literature. Beach is also a published poet. Links to his books, articles, and conference papers can be found at his website at www.jmbeach.com. Follow his blogs at jmbeach.blogspot.com and 21stcenturycanon.blogspot.com