Given below are two statements:
Statement I: Unlike Plato, Aristotle considers that poetry at its best requires great skill, and also differentiates between good and bad poetry on clear and systematic aesthetic grounds.
Statement II: Aristotle accepts Plato's insight that the emotions are important to poetry, but rejects Plato's distrust of the emotions.
In the light of the above statements, choose the correct answer given below:

Correct option is A

Statement I:
In the Poetics, Aristotle argues that poetry at its best requires great skill. He defines poetry as a form of imitation, but he emphasizes that it is not a slavish imitation of reality. Rather, the poet is free to select and arrange the material of reality in a way that is both pleasurable and instructive. Aristotle also discusses the importance of plot, character, diction, thought, melody, and spectacle in good poetry. He argues that these elements must be carefully crafted in order to achieve the desired effect on the audience.
Aristotle also differentiates between good and bad poetry on clear and systematic aesthetic grounds. For example, he argues that a good plot should be well-constructed and suspenseful. The characters should be believable and complex. The diction should be appropriate and effective. The thought should be original and insightful. The melody and spectacle should be pleasing and appropriate to the subject matter.
Statement II:
Aristotle accepts Plato's insight that the emotions are important to poetry. He argues that poetry should evoke emotions such as pity and fear in the audience. He believes that this can have a cathartic effect, purging the audience of negative emotions and leaving them feeling cleansed and refreshed.
However, Aristotle rejects Plato's distrust of the emotions. He argues that the emotions are not inherently irrational or harmful. Rather, they can be a source of pleasure and insight. He believes that good poetry can teach us about the human condition and help us to better understand our own emotions.
Some specific examples from the Poetics that support these statements:
Aristotle writes that "poetry is a more philosophical and a higher thing than history" because it deals with "universals" rather than "particulars." (Poetics, Chapter 9) This suggests that Aristotle values poetry for its ability to teach us about the human condition and the world around us.
Aristotle also writes that "the purpose of tragedy, then, is to arouse pity and fear, and thereby to purge these emotions in the spectator." (Poetics, Chapter 6) This suggests that Aristotle believes that poetry can have a positive effect on the emotions.
Finally, Aristotle provides a detailed analysis of the elements of good poetry, such as plot, character, diction, thought, melody, and spectacle. This suggests that Aristotle believes that poetry is a skilled craft that requires careful attention to detail.
Overall, it is clear from Aristotle's Poetics that he considered poetry to be a valuable and important art form. He believed that poetry at its best requires great skill and can have a positive effect on the emotions and the intellect.