p> In order to accomplish this, Aristotle begins by categorizing the various elements of his subject and by analyzing poetry in terms of what he sees as having been produced. Aristotle presents a clear analysis of poetry and drama, differentiating between the various kinds, showing the effects that are produced by drama and poetry and how those effects are achieved. His analysis begins, then, with the material itself and uses reasoning to move from the specific instances of drama and poetry to general concepts of what drama and poetry as a subject should include and achieve and to apply the general sense of drama to specific instances in the future. Aristotle decides that the most effective dramas are those that show a unity of time, place, character, and plot, and this then becomes a general rule as to how to achieve successful drama by paying proper attention to the unities in producing a drama. Aristotle also offers prescriptions for various aspects of the drama. He notes, for instance, that there are four things the dramatist should aim at in the representation of character: 1) the characters should be morally good; 2) the characters should be suitable; 3) the characters should be life-like; and 4) the characters should be consistent.
Oedipus is precisely the sort of drama Aristotle would have known and understood and in which he would see the unities embodied. Oedipus is the tragic hero as defined by Aristotle. The tragic hero must be an important person
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