Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BCE-322 BCE) was a student of Plato at the Academy in Athens. Later, Aristotle set up his own institution. He lectured and wrote on the topics of natural history, logic, ethics, physics, and poetics. The Poetics was most likely a series of notes that Aristotle would have used when he lectured. In the Poetics, Aristotle identifies different forms (tragedy, comedy, epic) and their elements. He defines poetry as an art that imitates. While reading the Poetics, we can recognize the concerns of present day writers and readers: what constitutes a good plot, and what makes a character?s actions necessary or probable? Translated by Samuel Henry Butcher. Butcher was a fellow of Trinity College, fellow and tutor of University College of Oxford, Professor of Greek at the University of Edinburgh, Member of Parliament for Cambridge University, President of the British Academy. Complete and unabridged text with comprehensions.