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This test consists of 5 multiple choice questions, 5 short answer questions, and 10 short essay questions.

Multiple Choice Questions

1. What does Aristotle believe to be the goal of tragedy?
(a) To inspire pity.
(b) To inspire anger.
(c) To inspire fear.
(d) To inspire fear and pity.

2. To Aristotle, what type of recognition is considered superior to any other kind?
(a) Recognition through the use of a sign.
(b) Recognition through reasoning.
(c) Recognition based on rumors.
(d) Recognition through a holy experience.

3. 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) Infusing irony just at the beginning.
(c) Giving the reader a sense of suspense.
(d) Writing a complication and unraveling.

4. Aristotle explains that a sign is one of four types of recognition. What is an example of recognition occurring through the use of a sign?
(a) A character has a vivid dream.
(b) A character recognizes another by a certain scar or birthmark.
(c) A character receives a psychic reading.
(d) A character's action is interrupted by what seems to be divine intervention.

5. In a tragedy, Aristotle warns that the poet must NOT choose a character who is altogether what?
(a) Generous.
(b) Bitter.
(c) Evil.
(d) Good.

Short Answer Questions

1. As Aristotle states, what ways are epic poems different from other poems, specifically tragedies?

2. According to Aristotle, what happens in a legitimate tragedy?

3. What type of stories does Aristotle identify as more fit for epic poems than tragedies?

4. In a good tragedy, Aristotle explains that the misfortune the main character experiences is usually caused by what?

5. Based on Aristotle's teachings about tragedy, how can the poet unify the plot?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Aristotle say that a poet should do first when constructing the plot of a tragedy?

2. In regard to the plot device of recognition, give an example that Aristotle provides in "Poetics" of how recognition can occur through some recognition of sign.

3. Give an example that Aristotle provides in "Poetics" of the most successful kind of action in a tragedy.

4. Based on Aristotle's reasoning, what type of main character should a poet choose and why?

5. When does Aristotle say the use of recognition through sign is used poorly?

6. Give an example that Aristotle provides in "Poetics" of a failed action where the character of a tragic story was aware of the circumstances then failed to follow through.

7. What types of situations does Aristotle say occur frequently in tragedy and why?

8. What type of recognition is considered by Aristotle to be superior to the others and why?

9. In addition to recognition through sign, what are some other ways that Aristotle identifies as ways in which recognition can occur?

10. Why does Aristotle consider a failed action in a tragedy where the character was aware of the circumstances then failed to follow through to be a poor development in the plot?

(see the answer keys)

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