Dithyrambic poetry is one of the five forms of poetry. A dithyramb is an ancient Greek hymn and dance performed in honor of Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and theater, and it is one of the earliest forms of theater and public performance. Aristotle claims that tragedy, another form of poetry, came directly from dithyrambic poetry.
Dithyrambic Poetry Quotes in Poetics
The Poetics quotes below are all either spoken by Dithyrambic Poetry or refer to Dithyrambic Poetry. For each quote, you can also see the other terms and themes related to it (each theme is indicated by its own dot and icon, like this one:
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Chapter 1
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Let us discuss the art of poetry in general and its species—the effect which each species of poetry has and the correct way to construct plots if the composition is to be of high quality, as well as the number and nature of its component parts, and any other questions that arise within the same field of enquiry. We should begin, as it natural, by taking first principles first.
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Chapter 2
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Epic poetry and the composition of tragedy, as well as comedy and the arts of dithyrambic poetry and (for the most part) of music for pipe or lyre, are all (taken together) imitations. They can be differentiated from each other in three respects: in respect of their different media of imitation, or different objects, or a different mode (i.e. a different manner).
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Dithyrambic Poetry Term Timeline in Poetics
The timeline below shows where the term Dithyrambic Poetry appears in Poetics. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 2. Poetry as a Species of Imitation
Epic poetry, tragedy, comedy, dithyrambic poetry , and music by pipe or lyre are all forms of imitation, Aristotle says, but...
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Some arts, including dithyrambic poetry , tragedy, and comedy, combine the use of rhythm, melody, and language. The only differences...
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Chapter 3. The Anthropology and History of Poetry
...born from improvisation. The same can be said for comedy; however, tragedy came specifically from dithyrambic poetry . From there, tragedy was enhanced and transformed into its “natural state.” Aeschylus increased the...
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