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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. How does Aristotle compare the medium of poetry and prose?
(a) Both use the same medium and rhythm.
(b) Both use the same medium.
(c) It is nothing like prose.
(d) Both use the same medium and meter.

2. What type of action does Aristotle say occurs with "Recognition" and/or "Reversal of Situation"?
(a) Happy.
(b) Bad.
(c) Congruent.
(d) Complex.

3. If the story is performed, why, according to Aristotle, should actors act with appropriate gestures to demonstrate their emotions and thoughts as the story progresses?
(a) Aristotle says that spectators will not be able to infer these simply from the dialog alone.
(b) None of the answers is correct.
(c) Aristotle says that gestures compensate for a bad story.
(d) Gestures are more important than dialogue.

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

5. Aristotle teaches that the beginning of a well-written tragedy starts at what point?
(a) Where the narrative has dependence upon events that happen prior to it.
(b) With the end and uses the method of flashback to tell the rest.
(c) Where the narrative has no dependence upon events that happened prior to it.
(d) In the middle and uses the method of flashback to tell what preceded.

Short Answer Questions

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

2. Aristotle explains that the medium specific to poetry is one that uses what?

3. In a tragedy, Aristotle warns that the poet must NOT choose a character who is altogether what?

4. When is a sign considered to be poorly used in the plot device of recognition according to Aristotle?

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

(see the answer key)

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