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This quiz consists of 5 multiple choice and 5 short answer questions through Section II.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. 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) Reconsideration.
(b) Reversal of Situation.
(c) Recognition.
(d) The least impressive type of action.

2. As Aristotle states, what ways are epic poems different from other poems, specifically tragedies?
(a) They tend to rhyme.
(b) They are of considerably greater length and scope.
(c) They are much shorter.
(d) The meter of epic poems is unimportant.

3. What type of poetry does Aristotle say focuses on serious and important actions?
(a) Greek poetry.
(b) Roman poetry.
(c) Tragedy.
(d) None of the answers is correct.

4. What does Aristotle say occurs at the beginning of a tragic story?
(a) The foreshadowing of tragic actions.
(b) The unraveling.
(c) The complication.
(d) Simplicity.

5. Aristotle explains that actions described in a tragic plot should have certain characteristics. Which one of the following is NOT one of the characteristics that Aristotle identifies?
(a) Actions should help the reader grasp the significance of the whole.
(b) Actions should be minute and trivial.
(c) Actions should be interesting.
(d) Actions should be not too small or too large.

Short Answer Questions

1. What are the ways Aristotle explains in regard to how poets differ in their representation of the object?

2. Aristotle says that at most, episodic plots involve what?

3. Men are drawn to write poetry for several reasons. Which of the following is NOT one of the reasons Aristotle provides?

4. When constructing the plot, the poet ought to do what first, according to Aristotle?

5. What does Aristotle consider to be secondary to the most essential element of tragedy?

(see the answer key)

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