The Preface to Aristotle's Art of Poetry

"The Preface to Aristotle's Art of Poetry" by André Dacier is an early 18th-century commentary where Dacier explores the core ideas behind creating and enjoying poetry, especially tragedy, and its important job of teaching moral lessons. Writing in the early 1700s, Dacier champions the neo-classical view that rules are vital when writing poetry. He not only stands by Aristotle's rules but also highlights how poetry should teach us things and make us better people. True tragedy, according to Dacier, helps us control our feelings and learn moral lessons, evolving from religious beginnings to what it is today, and Dacier insists it must stick to the established rules. He thinks about how tragedy works in society, suggesting that it should encourage good behavior and make people think about themselves, bridging ancient wisdom with modern poetry by supporting classical standards in the arts.