presentation on Literary Criticism and Theory. this presentation is a part of my academic study of M.A at Department of English M. K. Bhavnagar university. it is submitted to Dr. Dilip Barad.
1. Class: M.A SEM:1
Paper no. 3 Literary Criticism and
Theory
Topic – Aristotle’s Theory in Movies
Kiranvora5196@gmail.com
Submitted to - Smt. S. B. Gardi
department of English M. K.
Bhavnagar university
3. Philosophy and Film – two subjects that do not go
together in anyone’s mind.
Philosophy is a serious and confidential field of
study that is deep and really hard to follow
While, movies are popular for entertainments that
we enjoyed to watch as well as a kind of escape
from the reality and problems of life.
The world has developed so mush in the field of
films. Since 20s and 30s French, Italian, German,
British, Indian and American films have been the
main stays of international culture, artistic
expression as well as entertainment
5. THE SPECTACLES (OPSIS)
It is the overall visual effects, impact or appearance
of the characters(actors) or stage.
Feeling of participating in large / grand events.
Lord of the rings, Narnia, Ben Hur, Harry potter, the
Avengers, Spartacus etc. movies are examples of
this element.
Spartacus movie is an excellent example of film in
all six elements are of high value.
◄
6. MELODY / SONGS (MELOS)
Melody can be unnoticed in most of the films or to
the central to the impact of the film, example the
title theme of Star Wars.
In Hollywood movies there is music to make an
impact in background some also has songs too,
while in Bollywood movies songs are necessary in
movie, if there is no song then there’s no movie.
To make a great play or movie sound effects are
very important, we often see in every movie.
◄
7. DICTION (LEXIS)
Diction means some specific words writer chooses to
use/signify things. Author usually uses some words to
convey ideas to readers.
Aristotle in his Nichomachean Ethics, calls for finding
“mean” or “middle” between extremes of character. But
in Poetics Aristotle suggests that extreme can be
avoided.
“May the force be with you.” (Star Wars) "The force"
is a magical power that gives people strength. This
phrase is kind of a way of saying "good luck".
“My mama always said, life was like a box of
chocolates. You never know what you gonna get.”
(Forrest Gump)
here everything that happens in life has different
lessons to teach us and new experiences, the speaker's
talking about life giving example of a certain type of
chocolates that come in a box with different varieties to
try.
◄
8. CHARACTER (ETHOS)
According to Aristotle character is actually second most
important element. “……character is what makes us
ascribe certain moral qualities to the agents” (poetics)
Character interplays with other elements, especially in
film or drama it introduces morality.
For example 1976’s Sylvester Stallone’s
Rocky movie. Rocky is a man who has
lost his self-respect. But when Apollo
Creed selects him as a opponent fate
gives him a chance to regain self-respect
by working hard and taking this
impossible task. It is only through actions
that Rocky can rebuild his character. He
cannot simply wish to have fame or self-
respect
9. As well as Never Break Down (2008)’s Jake
and The Karate Kid (2010)’s Dre are also
demonstrates Aristotelian character building
through actions.
◄
10. THOUGHT (DIANOIA)
Thought isn’t about what character says, but what a
character says regarding important intellectual themes
as Aristotle says “all they say when proving or disproving
some particular point or enunciating some universal
prepositions”.
Thought seems to mark out the intellectual qualities of
an agent. And what the audience learn the moral of the
play.
Nowadays there mostly movies are made to show the
people reality and moral of the world.
◄
Examples, Pk, Pink,
F.A.L.T.U., 3 idiots, Bruce
Almighty, The peaceful
warrior, The Family man etc.
11. THE PLOT (FABLE)
“Character gives us qualities but it is in our actions what
we do……..that we are happy or reverse.” (poetics)
According to Aristotle Plot or “the form of action” is the
most important element. Because in Aristotle view
purpose of life is a certain kind of activity.
The searchers movie for example, the plot is man
chooses revenge against Indians. Horrible events
befalls man but finally chooses redemption and
forgiveness.
12. Following Aristotle, there are only few basic plots, if we
state the plot of this movie we get more specific
understanding of plot.
A basic plot introduces themes, in this plot horrible event
of befall of a man introduces the theme of possibility of
forgiveness. It doesn’t introduce forgiveness as a
narrative thing until the character makes a moral choice.
It has remain as true today as Aristotle’s time.
Anakin Skywalker Played by Hayden Christensen,
Anakin Skywalker is one of the most well know villains of
the past 40 years, but in this renowned "Star Wars saga”
we are taken on a journey of heroes rise and fall. A
Jedi master destined for greatness, Skywalker cannot
accept a tragic fate is already sealed. Sacrificing
everything he has learned that he will lose, Skywalker
must in the end become the epitome of the downfall
he did everything to avoid, making "Star Wars III:
Revenge of the Sith" a remarkable display of modern
tragedy in the movies.
