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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 say that a well-crafted tragedy has?
(a) Powerful characters with morals.
(b) A masterfully written complication and unraveling.
(c) Excellent irony.
(d) Consistent foreshadowing.

2. According to Aristotle, what type of poets attempt to create tragedies that result in everyone ultimately being happy?
(a) Poets more concerned with pleasing their audience.
(b) Innovative poets.
(c) Poets more interested in winning an award.
(d) Optimistic poets.

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

4. What does Aristotle say occurs at the beginning of a tragic story?
(a) The complication.
(b) Simplicity.
(c) The unraveling.
(d) The foreshadowing of tragic actions.

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

Short Answer Questions

1. If the characters conquer the problem, how does Aristotle say the tragedy ends?

2. As Aristotle explains, why must a poet be sensitive to the nature of language?

3. In a tragedy, Aristotle says that the main character cannot be what?

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

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?

Short Essay Questions

1. While some tragedies may use impressive visual effects when performed on stage to impress their spectators, what type of tragedy according to Aristotle does not require such spectacles and why?

2. List at least two things that Aristotle says a poet of a tragedy should always accomplish when depicting his characters.

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

4. 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?

5. What does Aristotle say in regard to how actions in a plot should be chosen?

6. Define the ways in which Aristotle divides the plot of a tragedy.

7. In order for a plot to be truly effective in achieving the desired emotional responses, Aristotle explains that the actions portrayed in it must be of a certain character. Explain.

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

9. What does Aristotle identify as the goal of tragedy?

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

(see the answer keys)

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