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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Aristotle call the individual episodes of a story with an episodic plot?
(a) Dependent stories.
(b) Funny.
(c) Interesting.
(d) Isolated stories.

2. In depicting his main character, Aristotle says that the poet should always accomplish four things. Of the following, which is NOT one of these four things?
(a) The main character should be portrayed consistently.
(b) The goodness of the character should be appropriate.
(c) The poet should make the main character good.
(d) The poet should make the main character perfect.

3. Concerning what Aristotle says about the conclusion of a tragedy, which of the following statements is FALSE?
(a) The problem can conquer the characters and the story ends unhappily.
(b) The characters can conquer the problem.
(c) The characters always resolve the issues and harmony is restored.
(d) The story can end happily.

4. According to Aristotle, why do the greatest tragedy poets always choose characters that belong to such groups?
(a) An educated character is more believable.
(b) A character with few friends is more interesting.
(c) A moral character is more believable.
(d) A fall from such a great height will impress the spectator.

5. Aristotle explains that the complication in plot leads to what?
(a) A tragic action.
(b) The sequel to the story.
(c) The death of the main character.
(d) The unraveling.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. What example does Aristotle provide of recognition occurring through the will of the poet?

3. In what three ways does Aristotle differentiate various art forms from one another?

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

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

(see the answer key)

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