Description: Poetics Before Plato : Interpretation and Authority in Early Greek Theories of Poetry, Hardcover by Ledbetter, Grace M., ISBN 0691096090, ISBN-13 9780691096094, Like New Used, Free shipping in the US
Combining literary and philosophical analysis, this study defends an utterly innovative reading of the early history of poetics. It is the first to argue that there is a distinctively Socratic view of poetry and the first to connect the Socratic view of poetry with earlier literary tradition.
Literary theory is usually said to begin with Platos famous critique of poetry in the Republic. Grace Ledbetter challenges this entrenched assumption by arguing that Platos earlier dialogues Ion, Protagoras, and Apology introduce a distinctively Socratic theory of poetry that responds polemically to traditional poets as rival theorists. Ledbetter tracks the sources of this Socratic response by introducing separate readings of the poetics implicit in the poetry of Homer, Hesiod, and Pindar. Examining these poets theories from a new angle that uncovers their literary, rhetorical, and political aims, she demonstrates their decisive influence on Socratic thinking about poetry.
The Socratic poetics Ledbetter elucidates focuses not on censorship, but on the interpretation of poetry as a source of moral wisdom. This philosophical approach to interpreting poetry stands at odds with the poets own theories--and with the Sophists treatment of poetry. Unlike the Republics focus on exposing and banishing poetrys irrational and unavoidably corrupting influence, Socrates theory includes poetry as subject matter for philosophical inquiry within an examined life.
Reaching back into what has too long been considered literary theorys prehistory, Ledbetter advances arguments that will redefine how classicists, philosophers, and literary theorists think about Platos poetics.
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Book Title: Poetics Before Plato : Interpretation and Authority in Early Gree
Number of Pages: 144 Pages
Language: English
Publication Name: Poetics before Plato : Interpretation and Authority in Early Greek Theories of Poetry
Publisher: Princeton University Press
Subject: History & Surveys / Ancient & Classical, Poetry
Item Height: 0.8 in
Publication Year: 2002
Item Weight: 12 Oz
Type: Textbook
Author: Grace M. Ledbetter
Subject Area: Literary Criticism, Philosophy
Item Length: 9.5 in
Item Width: 6.5 in
Format: Hardcover
