Aristotle (384-322) B.C. defines plot as the ‘soul of tragedy’ and has given much importance on it. ‘The arrangement of incidents’ (Ch.6) is what Aristotle describes the concept of plot. The story is formed through the incidents which serve as the raw material and the way in which these events are structured into a rational whole becomes the plot. A new and distinct plot will be formed if the genuine order and disposition of the same incidents are modified.
For a variety of reasons, the plot becomes the most significant part of the tragedy. First, success or failure is determined by the action of man and thereafter his happiness or misery is decided, therefore it’s action which is supreme, not any other formative element, as any other element does not affect almost every action to any great extent. Second, if there is no action tragedy cannot exist but tragedy can exist without another element, for instance, character. Thirdly, without plot, the action of life can’t be cloned even after combining the diction, song, thought, and spectacle in an elegant manner.
Subsequently, in the same chapter, Aristotle affirms that ‘The first principle, then, and to speak figuratively, the soul of tragedy is the plot, the second importance is the character.’ As for Aristotle, the meaning of characterization is merely additional sort of characteristics to the dramatic factor: ‘by the character that element in accordance with which we say that agents are of certain type’ (Ch.6).
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Aristotle gives us the example of modern tragedies which are characterless and defining it as ‘common defect among all kinds of the poet’. Aristotle further says that regardless of putting the character, diction, and thought very well, unless it has no plot, the tragedy will not produce the true tragic effect and success will be a distant matter. Aristotle reestablishes his critical stance by stating that ‘poets do not, therefore, create action in order to imitate the character, but the character is included on account of the action’ (Ch.6).
However, the plot is represented by action but what plays an important role is the ‘unity of action’. It refers to the unifying factor of the action of the plot in forming the common theme. Structure tells us that the plot relies on a series of events containing a beginning, middle, and end. Beginning creates a platform for the plot and initiates the action to look forward.
The middle tells us about the actions happened so far and what requires to be done ahead, and for the end part the only thing to take care is to look in the past and do what’s required, and this leads to the completion of the plot. Aristotle sums up this by pointing his specific disdain for the ‘disjointed and disturbed’ tragedy which is caused due to not maintaining the sequential order.
Reference
- ‘Define and explain Aristotle’s conception of plot.’ eNotes, 11 Sep. 2009, https://www.enotes.com/homework-help/define-aristotles-conception-plot-100777. https://www.bachelorandmaster.com/criticaltheories/aristotelian-concept-of-plot.html#.W9L0RXszbIV
