Aristotle discusses his theory of poetic imitation in which poetry imitates not precise historical facts but rather things that could be true or happen. Poetry imitates both character and action, finding universals represented in particular examples. Successful poetry achieves unity through depicting a complete plot arc such as with a beginning, middle, and end, just as a complete life can be understood through the plot of one's being and actions.

1. Poetics by Aristotle

2. the debate

3. imitation – not exact copy, but a likeness

4. imitation can include things that did not happen, but could happen in a poet’s world

5. things not necessarily historical

6. things not ‘real’

7. but things that could be true

8. What is imitated?1. character

9. What is imitated?2. action

10. The Universal in the Particular

11. Unity is in the Plote.g. creation, fall, redemption consummation

12. Final Questions What do you imitate? How? (What’s your art-form) Why? (What’s your art-heart)

13. Final Questions What comes first, being or action? Is it who ‘we are on the inside’, or is it ‘what we do’ that defines us?

14. Final Questions What unifies life? What is the plot?