English Literature

THE POETICS (335 BC) by ARISTOTLE (384 BC-322 BC) 1.     Concept Of Tragedy 2.     Ideal Tragic Hero/ Concept Of Hamartia 3.     The Plot Of A Tragedy 4.     Theory Of Imitation 5.     The Function Of Tragedy/ Its Emotional Effects/ Catharsis 6.      The Three Unities THE PREFACE TO SHAKESPEARE (1765) by DR. SAMUEL JOHNSON (1709-1784) 1.     Brief Synopsis Of The Preface To Shakespeare 2.     The Unities 3.     Didactic Approach 4.     Justification Of Tragi-Comedy 5.     Appreciation Of Shakespeare�s Merits 6.     Faults Of Shakespeare PREFACE TO LYRICAL BALLADS ( 1800 ) by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH (1770-1850) 1.     Historical Significance Of �The Preface To The Lyrical Ballads� 2.     Theory Of Poetry 3.     Theory Of Poetic Process 4.     Themes...

In order to understand Wordsworth's view on imagination, we have to go to his poems, and to his letter. In 'The Preface', the word occur first when Wordsworth tells us that his purpose has been to select incidents and situations from humble and common life and make them look uncommon and unusual by throwing over them a coloring of imagination. This clarifies that imagination is a transforming and transfiguring power which presents the usual in an unusual light. The poet does not merely present "image of men and nature" but he also shapes, modifies and transfigures that image by the power of his imagination. Thus imagination is creative; it is a shaping or 'plastic' power. The poet is half the creator; he is not a mere mechanical reproducer of outward reality, but a specially gifted individual, who, like God, is a creator or maker as he adds something to nature and reality. It is the imagination of the poet which imparts to nature, the 'glory and freshn...