| dc.description.abstract | This essay proposes some reflections on “narrative proof”. As largely known, a tale
is not told to convey information only; that is: fiction does not transmit information
directly. Tales, novels, dramas try to prove some “truth” (moral, philosophical,
or other). Tragedy however, whether ancient Greek, Elizabethan or classical
French, seems to represent an exception, at least to some extent. These forms of
tragedy offer no easy conclusions. In the Renaissance, however, the newly created
tragedy quickly slides toward moralisation and the same holds true for the
postclassical French tragedy, in accordance with the Enlightenment’s general propensity
towards preaching different truths. The Poetics of Aristotle, whose link to
ancient Greek tragedy is problematic, is not moralistic, but it offers several points
suited for moralisation. This moralistic trend is outlined by the study of some
theorists and playwrights. | en_US |
