code:
"Since the objects of imitation are men in action, and these men must be either
of a higher or a lower type (for moral character mainly answers to these
divisions, goodness and badness being the distinguishing marks of moral
differences), it follows that we must represent men either as better than in
real life, or as worse, or as they are." (Chapter II)
"Character is that which reveals moral purpose,
showing what kind of things a man chooses or avoids. Speeches, therefore, which
do not make this manifest, or in which the speaker does not choose or avoid
anything whatever, are not expressive of character. Thought, on the other hand,
is found where something is proved to be, or not to be, or a general maxim is
enunciated." (Chapter VI)
"A perfect tragedy should, as we have seen, be arranged not on the simple but on
the complex plan. It should, moreover, imitate actions which excite pity and
fear, this being the distinctive mark of tragic imitation. It follows plainly,
in the first place, that the change of fortune presented must not be the
spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity: for this moves
neither pity nor fear; it merely shocks us. Nor, again, that of a bad man
passing from adversity to prosperity: for nothing can be more alien to the
spirit of Tragedy; it possesses no single tragic quality; it neither satisfies
the moral sense nor calls forth pity or fear. Nor, again, should the downfall of
the utter villain be exhibited. A plot of this kind would, doubtless, satisfy
the moral sense, but it would inspire neither pity nor fear; for pity is aroused
by unmerited misfortune, fear by the misfortune of a man like ourselves. Such an
event, therefore, will be neither pitiful nor terrible. There remains, then, the
character between these two extremes, that of a man who is not eminently good
and just, yet whose misfortune is brought about not by vice or depravity, but by
some error or frailty." (Chapter XIII)
"In respect of Character there are four things to be aimed at. First, and most
important, it must be good. Now, any speech or action that manifests moral
purpose of any kind will be expressive of character: the character will be good
if the purpose is good. . . . The second thing to aim at is propriety. . . .
Thirdly, character must be true to life: for this is a distinct
thing from goodness and propriety, as here described. The fourth point is
consistency: for though the subject of the imitation, who suggested the type,
be inconsistent, still he must be consistently inconsistent." (Chapter XV)