Moral Criticism and Dramatic

Construction

What is

art for?

Well for

Plato.. Moral Criticism

Art was a replica of

the world that it

presented, if art did

not teach a moral

lesson, it was

harmful to its

audience.

Ever since the early

days of childhood

when bedtime stories

were comprised of

fairy tales and fables,

children are taught

that there is a moral

to every story.

Like the Bible

or Children’s

Books

ART:

1. Should

be limited

3. Is a mediocre

reproduction of

nature

2. Play a strict role

in “perfect” Greek

Republic

4. Damaging if not

teaching morality

and ethics to

audience. Aristotle

Art is a means to

an end.

But in

Aristotle’s

view

Art is a way to

create something

pleasurable for

the audience.

Dramatic

Construction

He believed

that art should

include

elements

language

rhythm

diction

plot

character

thought

song

spectacle

harmony

Believed that these

elements could alter and

affect the audience's

catharsis.

In the form of

literature we

have…

If you enjoy a

story it is because

the author made

very good use of

one/more of

Aristotle’s

elements.

Aristotle

considered

poetry a

'productive

science'

Saw poetry

and drama as

a means to an

end

Had established

guidelines in

order for writers

to achieve their

objectives.

Both Plato and Aristotle

played major roles in

influencing Western art.

VS.

There is a continuing

debate on whether

effective literature informs

you and teaches you

about morality or whether

effective literature is just

to be enjoyed.