Poetry demands a man with a special gift for it, or else one with a touch of madness in him. (1455a33)
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Poetry requires either innate talent or a degree of irrational passion.
- In plain terms
- You need special talent or madness to write poetry.
- What can you take from it?
- True poetic skill comes from natural gift or intense emotion.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- Is madness necessary for art?
- Can talent be learned?
Another view
Not all great poets exhibit madness or obvious genius.
More from Aristotle
Poetry is finer and more philosophical than history; for poetry expresses the universal, and history only the particular. (1451b6)
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Permalink to quote #70 A whole is that which has beginning, middle, and end. (1450b26)
Permalink to quote #67
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