ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the roots of the dramatic paradigm, in order to find in the inherent structures of drama some elements that match the intersubjective and creative dimensions. At the heart of dramatherapy theory and practice lies the assumption that the intrinsic dynamics of drama may provide people with keys to give meaning to the complexity of people's behaviour, and to understand the blocks and failures that may prevent people to fully live their lives. The cathartic principle suggests the process through which emotions and thoughts are set in motion in drama, and they can produce changes in the participants. Aristotle establishes two fundamental principles. First that the peculiarity of theatre is it being an imitation process accomplished through an action, rather than recounted. The second principle refers to what theatre is for: according to Aristotle, the main function of tragedy is evoking emotions in the audience, provoking their purification.
