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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Aristotle consider to be the most tragic event?
(a) Adultery.
(b) A member of a family killing another.
(c) Two lovers splitting up.
(d) A mother abandoning her child.

2. To what term does Aristotle give the following meaning: to imitate human action within the bounds of a sound understanding of the world and how events occur within it.
(a) Historical fiction.
(b) The end of poetry.
(c) Creative license.
(d) Artistic expression.

3. Aristotle asserts that men who find poetry very attractive find great pleasure in what?
(a) Learning.
(b) Eating.
(c) Cleaning.
(d) Sleeping.

4. What type of poetry does Aristotle say is addressed to a much more cultivated audience?
(a) Historical.
(b) Tragic.
(c) Comedic.
(d) Epic.

5. Per Aristotle, in which of the following ways does poetry NOT differ from history?
(a) History is concerned simply with facts.
(b) Poetry depicts what happens according to the "laws of probability and necessity."
(c) Poetry is a higher pursuit than history.
(d) Poetry tells the future, and history tells the past.

Short Answer Questions

1. Aristotle says that epic poetry ought to follow what?

2. According to Aristotle, a great plot consists of an action that almost occurs, but doesn't because of what?

3. How does Aristotle define "poetic charm"?

4. 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?

5. What example does Aristotle use to demonstrate his point of epic vs. tragedy formats?

(see the answer key)

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