Chapter III: Aristotle

Authorship of the criticism attributed to Aristotle 29
Its subject-matter 30
Abstract of the _Poetics_ 32
Characteristics, general 35
Limitations of range 36
Ethical twist 37
Drawbacks resulting 37
Overbalance of merit 38
The doctrine of ἁμαρτία 39
The _Rhetoric_ 39
Meaning and range of “Rhetoric” 40
The contents of the book 41
Attitude to _lexis_ 42
Vocabulary—“Figures” 43
A difficulty 44
“Frigidity” 44
Archaism 45
Stock epithet and periphrasis 45

False metaphor 46
Simile 46
“Purity” 46
“Elevation” 46
Propriety 46
Prose rhythm 47
Loose and periodic style, &c. 48
General effect of the _Rhetoric_ 48
The _Homeric Problems_ 49
Value of the two main treatises 51
Defects and drawbacks in the _Poetics_ 51
And in the _Rhetoric_ 52
Merits of both 53
The end of art: the οἰκεῖα ἡδονή 55
Theory of Action 55
And of ἁμαρτία 56
Of Poetic Diction 56