17.1
IT is necessary, however, that the poet should form the plots, and elaborate his diction, in such a manner that he may as much as possible place the thing before his own eyes1. For thus, the poet perceiving most acutely, as if present with the transactions themselves, will discover what is becoming, and whatever is repugnant will be least concealed from his view.
17.2
An evidence of this is the fault with which Carcinus is reproached. For Amphiaraus had left the temple, which was concealed from the spectator, who did not perceive it, and the piece was driven
from the stage in consequence of the indignation of the spectators.
17.3
For the poet as much as possible should co-operate with the gestures [of the actor] ; since those ,are naturally most adapted to persuade who are themselves under the influence or passion.
2
Hence, also, he agitates others who is himself agitated 3, and he excites others to anger who is himself most truly enraged.
17.4
Hence, poetry is the province either of one who is naturally clever, or of one who is insane4.
3
4
5
6
For of these characters, the one is easily fashioned, but the other is prone to ecstasy.
7
It is likewise necessary that the poet should in a general way lay down the fables composed by others, and those which he composes himself,
17.5
and afterwards introduce episodes and lengthen out [the play]. But I say that he should give a general sketch after this manner. Thus,
17.6
for instance, in the " Iphigenia5," a certain virgin on the point of being sacrificed, and vanishing from the view of those who were to sacrifice her, and being brought to another country in which it was a law to sacrifice strangers to a certain goddess, she is appointed the priestess of these rites. Some time after, it happened that the brother of the priestess came to this place ; [but on what account ? Because some god had ordered him, for a certain reason which does not pertain to the general view of the tragedy,] to come thither, [but why he did so is foreign to the fable6]. The brother, therefore, coming, and being made captive, discovered [his sister], when he is going to be sacrificed ; whether, as Euripides says, [by an epistle,] or, as Poly ides feigns, speaking according to probability, because he said, it was not only requisite that the sister, but that he also should be sacrificed:—and hence safety arises.
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17.7
After these things, the poet having given names to the persons, should insert the episodes;
17.8
and he must be careful that the episodes be appropriate; as that of the insanity through which Orestes was taken captive, and his being saved through expiation.
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17.9
In dramas, therefore, the episodes are short, but by these the epopee is lengthened.
17.10
For the fable of the Odyssey is short, viz. a certain man wandering for many years, and persecuted by Neptune, and left alone. And besides this, his domestic affairs being so circumstanced, that his
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11
wealth is consumed by suitors, and stratagems are plotted against his son. But driven by a tempest, he returns, and making himself known to certain persons, he attacks the suitors, and is himself saved, but destroys his enemies. This, therefore, is the peculiarity of the fable,
17.11
but the rest is episode.