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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What, as Aristotle states, are good poets forced to do when they write stories with episodic plots?

2. In order for a plot to be truly effective in achieving the desired emotional response from its readers or audience, Aristotle says that the poet must do what?

3. How does Aristotle define "Recognition"?

4. Aristotle asserts that men who find poetry very attractive find great pleasure in what?

5. Aristotle teaches that the beginning of a well-written tragedy starts at what point?

Short Essay Questions

1. Aristotle points out that good poets may also write episodic stories. What reason does he give?

2. What does Aristotle say about the the beginning and end of a tragic plot?

3. Aristotle explains that the object which poetry portrays is men in action. How may poets differ in how they represent these men?

4. According to Aristotle, different types of poetry emerge from the personalities of different types of men. What are two examples Aristotle gives in relationship to personality of men and types of poetry?

5. How does Aristotle define tragedy as a type of poetry?

6. Is the unity of plot the same as the unity of a character's actions? Explain.

7. Based on Section I of Aristotle's "Poetics", how is the medium specific to poetry similar to and different from prose?

8. How does Aristotle differentiate the arts from one another?

9. What does Aristotle say the goal of tragedy is and how does he say good poetry accomplish this goal?

10. What does Aristotle say about plot in tragedy?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

What reasons does Aristotle give regarding why the poet must be sensitive to the nature of language? Into what parts can language be subdivided? What are some ways suggested by Aristotle that a poet could effectively create a rhythmic and pleasant-sounding poem that has a meter that is appropriate to the type of poem he is creating as well as to the subject matter?

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to write about:

1) Based on your interpretation of "Poetics", compare the writing styles and balance of well written poetry versus poorly written poetry.

2) Discuss why a poet, according to Aristotle, must always be sure to keep the plots for his stories simple.

3) Compare history and poetry through the eyes of Aristotle. Explain the mistake many writers make when writing stories from history.

Essay Topic 3

Choose one of the following to write about:

1) Compare the habits of good poets and bad poets according to Aristotle. Discuss their styles and motivations as discussed in "Poetics".

2) Based on "Poetics", discuss the elements or characteristics possessed by a superior tragedy.

3) What guidelines does Aristotle provide in regard to a poet choosing characters?

(see the answer keys)

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