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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. 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?

2. Why does Aristotle believe that a failed action by a character that is unaware is more effective than a failed action by a character that is aware?

3. Aristotle explains that the complication in plot leads to what?

4. Aristotle explains that a sign is one of four types of recognition. What is an example of recognition occurring through the use of a sign?

5. What does Aristotle identify as a poet's medium?

Short Essay Questions

1. If the tragedy is to be performed, what does Aristotle say the poet should ensure and why?

2. What does Aristotle say that a poet should do first when constructing the plot of a tragedy?

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

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

5. In order for a plot to be truly effective in achieving the desired emotional responses, Aristotle explains that the actions portrayed in it must be of a certain character. Explain.

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

7. What does Aristotle identify as the goal of tragedy?

8. Define the ways in which Aristotle divides the plot of a tragedy.

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

10. What does Aristotle say in regard to how actions in a plot should be chosen?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

The goal of tragedy, as explained by Aristotle, is to construct a plot that successfully inspires what in the spectator or reader? How should the actions depicted in the plot be chosen? How can the poet effectively inspire certain emotions to a great scale?

Essay Topic 2

Based on Aristotle's teachings, with what type of actions does tragedy concern itself? How does tragedy accomplish its goals of inspiring certain emotions in the audience? What is the foundation of good poetry writing according to Aristotle?

Essay Topic 3

Aristotle teaches that the plot device of recognition can be divided into several kinds.

1) What types of recognition exist in tragedy?

2) What is the most effective form of recognition and why?

3) What is the least effective form of recognition and why?

(see the answer keys)

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