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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. When an evil character of a tragic story is suddenly thrust into misfortune, it has been said that this satisfies the moral sense of the audience, but Aristotle asserts that the misfortune does not inspire what?

2. Why does Aristotle believe that the main character of a tragedy ought to be a certain way?

3. As Aristotle states, what ways are epic poems different from other poems, specifically tragedies?

4. Artistically, what type of recognition does Aristotle consider to be a serious flaw?

5. Based on "Poetics", how will the effect of a sad plot of a tragic story be magnified?

Short Essay Questions

1. What type of recognition is considered by Aristotle to be superior to the others and why?

2. Does Aristotle believe that Homer's "Iliad" should be written in the format of a tragedy? Why or why not?

3. Give an example that Aristotle provides in "Poetics" of the most successful kind of action in a tragedy.

4. Based on Aristotle's reasoning, what type of main character should a poet choose and why?

5. List at least two things that Aristotle says a poet of a tragedy should always accomplish when depicting his characters.

6. When does Aristotle say the use of recognition through sign is used poorly?

7. Give an example that Aristotle provides in "Poetics" of a failed action where the character of a tragic story was aware of the circumstances then failed to follow through.

8. Based on "Poetics" by Aristotle, explain how the effect of a sad plot will be magnified?

9. While some tragedies may use impressive visual effects when performed on stage to impress their spectators, what type of tragedy according to Aristotle does not require such spectacles and why?

10. In addition to recognition through sign, what are some other ways that Aristotle identifies as ways in which recognition can occur?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following to write about:

1) Compare the habits of good poets and bad poets according to Aristotle. Discuss their styles and motivations as discussed in "Poetics".

2) Based on "Poetics", discuss the elements or characteristics possessed by a superior tragedy.

3) What guidelines does Aristotle provide in regard to a poet choosing characters?

Essay Topic 2

What reasons does Aristotle give regarding why the poet must be sensitive to the nature of language? Into what parts can language be subdivided? What are some ways suggested by Aristotle that a poet could effectively create a rhythmic and pleasant-sounding poem that has a meter that is appropriate to the type of poem he is creating as well as to the subject matter?

Essay Topic 3

Aristotle teaches that actions can be divided into two types: simple and complex.

1) Define a simple action.

2) Define a complex action.

3) Provide at least one example for a simple and complex action.

(see the answer keys)

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