Elements of rhetoric & literature criticism - Softcover

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1847 Excerpt: ...with the number of excellent productions in almost every other description of poetry Q. Can you mention the principal? A. The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, the Mneid of Virgil, the Jerusalem Delivered of Tasso, and the Paradise Lost of Milton. Q. Can you mention the subjects of each of these? A. The subject of the Iliad is the destruction of Troy; of the Odyssey, the wanderings of Ulysses; of the jEneid, the settlement of jEneas in Italy; of the Jerusalem, its deliverance from Mussulman oppression; and of Paradise Lost, the fall of man from his primitive state of innocence, and consequent expulsion from the garden of Eden. Q. What do you undent ind by Dramatic Poetry? A. Poetry founded upon a regular plot or story, and fitted to be represented by action on the stage. Q. In what does it differ from epic poetry? A. In its containing no narrative on the part of tne poet, being all spoken or performed by the different actors or characters who are introduced. Q. What is the greatest excellence of dramatic poetry? A. Its being in accordance with nature, and making a near approach to the character of real life CHAPTER XIV OF DRAMATIC POETRY. Q. What, then, are the chief objects of dramatic poetry? A. Men and manners, with an exhibition of all the various passions, virtues, and vices incident to human nature. Q. How many dbrts of dramatic poetry are there? A. Chiefly two--Tragedy and Comedy. Q. What constitutes the difference between these?' A. Tragedy is founded principally upon the loftier passions, virtues, vices, successes, and distresses of mankind; comedy, on their whims, fancies, humors, vagaries, foibles, and follies. Q. What are the passions which they chiefly awaken? A. Terror, pity, and indignation, are the passions chiefly excited by tragedy; ridicule and...