View a FREE sample

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

Short Answer Questions

1. When the poet takes the appropriate steps in developing plot, Aristotle explains that the poet is much more likely to do what?

2. Like any art, poetry is defined by Aristotle as what?

3. Per Aristotle, the unity of plot is what to the unity of a character's actions?

4. What are the ways Aristotle explains in regard to how poets differ in their representation of the object?

5. What type of story does Aristotle define as "episodic"?

Short Essay Questions

1. 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?

2. Based on Aristotle's teachings, what does it mean when a plot is unified?

3. Whom does Aristotle say favors episodic, as opposed to epic, storytelling and why?

4. According to Aristotle, how does the method of imitation differ?

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

6. How does Aristotle say that poetry differs from history?

7. According to Aristotle, what is an example of a poor type of story and why?

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

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

10. What are two reasons Aristotle says that men are drawn to write poetry?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Based on Aristotle's teachings, with what type of actions does tragedy concern itself? How does tragedy accomplish its goals of inspiring certain emotions in the audience? What is the foundation of good poetry writing according to Aristotle?

Essay Topic 2

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?

Essay Topic 3

When constructing the plot, Aristotle says that the poet ought to do what first and why? When should the poet begin to fill out the individual episodes and scenes of the story? Why is it important to construct the plot in this way?

(see the answer keys)

This section contains 906 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) View a FREE sample