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

Multiple Choice Questions

1. According to Aristotle, how should the plot of a well-written tragedy be structured?
(a) A structured plot makes bad poetry.
(b) With a logical beginning and end.
(c) With the end that makes readers want more.
(d) It should leave the reader guessing until the end.

2. 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?
(a) The most successful kind of action.
(b) Poor plot development.
(c) An interesting turn of events.
(d) Poor execution.

3. Aristotle gives the following as an example of what: Homer says that Odysseus accomplished a certain number of deeds?
(a) Exaggeration.
(b) Deception.
(c) A metaphor.
(d) His imagination.

4. According to Aristotle, what happens in a legitimate tragedy?
(a) Everyone wins at the end.
(b) Not everyone winds up happy.
(c) The main character dies.
(d) The antagonist dies.

5. Based on Aristotle's "Poetics", great tragedy poets always choose characters that belong to what?
(a) Universities.
(b) Various churches.
(c) Wealthy and prominent families.
(d) Small social groups.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Aristotle define "strange" words?

2. What does Aristotle identify as a poet's medium?

3. Aristotle explains that tragedies should have what that other poems do not?

4. What reason does Aristotle give for Homer excluding many things that Odysseus does on his voyage home in the "Odyssey"?

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

(see the answer key)

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