Plots are either Simple or Complex, for the actions in real life, of which the plots are an imitation, obviously show a similar distinction. An action which is one and continuous in the sense above defined, I call Simple, when the change of fortune takes place without Reversal of the Situation and without Recognition.

A Complex action is one in which the change is accompanied by such Reversal, or by Recognition, or by both. These last should arise from the internal structure of the plot, so that what follows should be the necessary or probable result of the preceding action. It makes all the difference whether any given event is a case of propter hoc or post hoc.

Aristotle's Poetics - Complete Text

Aristotle's Poetics E-Text contains the full text of Aristotle's Poetics

• I 'Imitation' the common principle of the Arts of Poetry
• II The Objects of Imitation
• III The Manner of Imitation
• IV The Origin and Development of Poetry
• V Definition of the Ludicrous, and a brief sketch of the rise of Comedy
• VI Definition of Tragedy
• VII The Plot must be a Whole
• VIII The Plot must be a Unity
• IX (Plot continued.) Dramatic Unity
• X (Plot continued.) Definitions of Simple and Complex Plots
• XI (Plot continued.) Reversal of the Situation, Recognition, and Tragic or disastrous Incident defined and explained
• XII The 'quantitative parts' of Tragedy defined
• XIII (Plot continued.) What constitutes Tragic Action
• XIV (Plot continued.) The tragic emotions of pity and fear should spring out of the Plot itself
• XV The element of Character in Tragedy
• XVI (Plot continued.) Recognition: its various kinds, with examples
• XVII Practical rules for the Tragic Poet
• XVIII Further rules for the Tragic Poet
• XIX Thought, or the Intellectual element, and Diction in Tragedy
• XX Diction, or Language in general
• XXI Poetic Diction
• XXII (Poetic Diction continued.) How Poetry combines elevation of language with perspicuity
• XXIII Epic Poetry
• XXIV (Epic Poetry continued.) Further points of agreement with Tragedy
• XXV Critical Objections brought against Poetry, and the principles on which they are to be answered
• XXVI A general estimate of the comparative worth of Epic Poetry and Tragedy
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