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

2. What type of situation does Aristotle explain occurs more frequently in tragedy?
(a) The protagonist losing one of his or her five senses.
(b) A member of a family killing another member.
(c) The main character dying from illness.
(d) A child being abandoned.

3. According to Aristotle, why do good poets sometimes write stories using episodic plots?
(a) To showcase their skills in contests.
(b) For the challenge.
(c) Because episodic plots are considered more interesting.
(d) They never write stories using episodic plots.

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

5. Why does Aristotle believe that a failed action by a person who is aware of the circumstances is considered to be of a certain quality?
(a) A failed action interrupts the flow.
(b) An audience does not like happy endings.
(c) The person was already aware and no disaster occurs.
(d) A person who is aware is boring.

Short Answer Questions

1. According to Aristotle, how does tragedy achieve the emotion it inspires?

2. What does Aristotle say about Homer's "Iliad"?

3. When the poet takes the appropriate steps in developing plot, Aristotle explains that the poet is much more likely to do what?

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

5. What does Aristotle identify as the most essential element of tragedy?

(see the answer key)

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