Aristotle’s Theory On Storytelling

According to Aristotle, the fundamental elements of compelling storytelling are pity, fear, and catharsis. These elements are the foundation for constructing a sympathetic protagonist that captures the audience’s attention. Additionally, storytelling must exhibit a purposeful examination of morality, virtue, and moral dilemmas. The structure of a story encompasses six pivotal elements: plot, characters, reasoning, diction, music, and spectacle.

1.    According to Aristotle’s theoretical framework, the plot is the most significant aspect of a story. It conveys the heart of the story to the audience and provides a glimpse of the emotions and experiences they are likely to encounter.

2.    Characters serve as a conduit for the audience, allowing them to perceive a moral guide. The primary objective of a character is to showcase the flaws of immoral behavior and the merits of ethical conduct.

3.    Reasoning, also called the theme, pertains to the examination of how characters interact with their surroundings and with other characters. The themes within a story are explored through the actions of its characters. The audience’s ability to relate to these characters is reflective of their motivations and beliefs.

4.    Diction, also called dialogue, is the expression of words, which extends to the tone. The importance of dialogue lies in its capacity to effectively communicate the author’s intended message.

5.    Music affects the interpretation of a scene by an audience member, surpassing the mere presence of musical scores. It encompasses a wider concept that involves the structures and patterns of sound, which conveys the emotionality of a scene.

6.    The spectacle is the visual display of the story. The visuals often correlate with the dialogue. Visuals act as a nonverbal form of communication to the audience.

I think Aristotle's framework for storytelling is easily comprehensible. The significance of the plot cannot be denied as it conveys the essence of the story to the audience. However, I believe that every element of a story holds equal importance as each element contributes to the overall narrative. I also find Aristotle’s assessment of the significance of examining moral predicaments to be fascinating. The conflicts that arise from moral struggles tend to captivate regardless of the genre. While tragedies are often associated with moral questions, I must note that morality is explored in every genre, albeit to varying degrees. Aristotle’s theory positions tragedies as superior to comedies due to the genre's ability to impart moral lessons. Nevertheless, comedies also possess the capacity to teach moral lessons. For example, Yes Man (2008) teaches the importance of making balanced choices and not disregarding valuable opportunities when they present themselves.