1. What would Aristotle say about the following action: a man is about to kill his brother, thinking him to be his enemy, but discovers his identity and therefore spares his life?
(a) Poor plot development.
(b) An interesting turn of events.
(c) The most successful kind of action.
(d) Poor execution.

2. In a tragic story, a mother who is about to kill her son--and she is aware that it is her son--does not carry out the action. Aristotle uses this as an example of what?
(a) The least impressive type of action.
(b) Reconsideration.
(c) Reversal of Situation.
(d) Recognition.

3. What does Aristotle identify as the foundation of good poetry writing?
(a) An interesting twist or turn.
(b) Using well-researched historical events.
(c) Irony.
(d) Probability and necessity.

4. In addition to a sign, what is the second kind of recognition as identified by Aristotle?
(a) A psychic reading.
(b) One that occurs simply by the will of the poet.
(c) A bad dream.
(d) Divine intervention.

5. In a tragedy, which of the following would Aristotle consider to be false?
(a) The action may be done knowingly.
(b) The action may be done unknowingly.
(c) An action can either be done or not done.
(d) The action is more tragic when a person who is aware of the circumstances does not perform the action.

Short Answer Questions

1. To what term does Aristotle give the following meaning: to imitate human action within the bounds of a sound understanding of the world and how events occur within it.

2. What does Aristotle say occurs at the beginning of a tragic story?

3. What is the third type of recognition as identified by Aristotle?

4. According to Aristotle, a great plot consists of an action that almost occurs, but doesn't because of what?

5. In a tragedy, Aristotle warns that the poet must NOT choose a character who is altogether what?

(see the answer key)

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