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This test consists of 15 multiple choice questions and 5 short answer questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

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

2. As Aristotle explains, why must a poet be sensitive to the nature of language?
(a) Language is to a poet as paint is to a painter.
(b) There are infinite words from which to choose.
(c) The nature of language in unpredictable.
(d) Language is very complicated.

3. If the problem conquers the characters, how does Aristotle say the tragedy ends?
(a) Happily.
(b) Unhappily.
(c) It ends just at the right time.
(d) Successfully.

4. 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 gestures compensate for a bad story.
(b) Gestures are more important than dialogue.
(c) None of the answers is correct.
(d) Aristotle says that spectators will not be able to infer these simply from the dialog alone.

5. As Aristotle states, what ways are epic poems different from other poems, specifically tragedies?
(a) They tend to rhyme.
(b) They are of considerably greater length and scope.
(c) They are much shorter.
(d) The meter of epic poems is unimportant.

6. Aristotle asserts that the main character of a tragedy must have what?
(a) Weakness.
(b) Complete confidence.
(c) A lot of money.
(d) A tragic past.

7. What type of tragedy does Aristotle say does NOT require impressive visual effects when performed on stage to impress their spectators?
(a) A complex tragedy.
(b) An unusual tragedy.
(c) An episodic tragedy.
(d) A superior tragedy with a strong plot.

8. In addition to a sign, what is the second kind of recognition as identified by Aristotle?
(a) One that occurs simply by the will of the poet.
(b) A psychic reading.
(c) A bad dream.
(d) Divine intervention.

9. In a good tragedy, Aristotle explains that the misfortune the main character experiences is usually caused by what?
(a) Stupidity.
(b) The character's weakness.
(c) Misguided love.
(d) The character's arrogance.

10. What example does Aristotle provide of recognition occurring through the will of the poet?
(a) There is no such thing as recognition through the will of the poet.
(b) The main character reveals himself to the antagonist when the reader least expects.
(c) One character may reveal himself to another for no reason.
(d) A character is revealed when the poet announces it.

11. Aristotle explains that tragedies should have what that other poems do not?
(a) A much more limited scale.
(b) More sadness.
(c) More irony.
(d) Death.

12. Aristotle warns that a tragedy poet should be careful with what?
(a) Writing the middle, as it is the most important part of a tragedy.
(b) Picking the content for the poem.
(c) Choosing ironic events.
(d) The poet should be careful not to write a happy ending.

13. Aristotle says that simply doing what well leaves a mediocre piece of art?
(a) Developing a main character that does not have a close friend.
(b) Giving the reader a sense of suspense.
(c) Writing a complication and unraveling.
(d) Infusing irony just at the beginning.

14. 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?
(a) The morals of the character that is unaware remain intact, and the first situation inspires more fear.
(b) They are equally effective.
(c) They are equally ineffective.
(d) The second situation inspires more fear, but less pity.

15. Into how many parts does Aristotle divide the plot of a tragedy?
(a) Aristotle does not divide the plot of a tragedy, but rather sees it as a whole.
(b) Three.
(c) Two.
(d) Four.

Short Answer Questions

1. How does Aristotle characterize tragedies with happy endings?

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

3. In a good tragedy as defined by Aristotle, why wouldn't you see two evil men fighting and killing one another?

4. Based on Aristotle's teachings, if the main character of a tragedy is totally without fault, his fall would not be due to his own fault, but rather what?

5. As Aristotle explains, when an evil main character of a tragic story experiences misfortune, why doesn't this inspire certain key emotions in the audience?

(see the answer keys)

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