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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 good tragedy as defined by Aristotle, why wouldn't you see two evil men fighting and killing one another?
(a) This action would not inspire pity.
(b) It would be boring.
(c) Evil men team up, not fight each other.
(d) A tragedy only has one evil character.

2. If the characters conquer the problem, how does Aristotle say the tragedy ends?
(a) It ends too soon.
(b) Sadly.
(c) Happily.
(d) Without pity.

3. In an episodic plot, Aristotle explains that the individual episodes of the story bear what to one another?
(a) Irony.
(b) Little or no relation to one another.
(c) A lot of similarity.
(d) Opposition.

4. What is the purpose of the conclusion according to Aristotle?
(a) It shows how the problem is eventually solved or not solved.
(b) It ties the beginning and the end together.
(c) It leads to the middle of the story.
(d) It gives the reader a sense of suspense.

5. Aristotle says that it's important for any poet to master what in a tragedy?
(a) The complication and unraveling.
(b) The middle of the story.
(c) The main character's life and death.
(d) The beginning of the story.

Short Answer Questions

1. What type of stories does Aristotle identify as more fit for epic poems than tragedies?

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. What other name does Aristotle give to the conclusion of a tragedy?

4. According to Aristotle, how should the plot of a well-written tragedy be structured?

5. Aristotle explains that tragedy is not only concerned with the depiction of just any action, but of actions that inspire what?

(see the answer key)

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