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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. When one character realizes that another character has fewer morals than he once thought, what does Aristotle say is happening?

2. In an episodic plot, Aristotle explains that the individual episodes of the story bear what to one another?

3. What is history according to Aristotle?

4. Per Aristotle, in which of the following ways does poetry NOT differ from history?

5. 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?

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

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

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

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

6. What does Aristotle say about plot in tragedy?

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

8. Why does Aristotle consider poetic work to be a philosophical undertaking, and, therefore, a higher pursuit than history, which is concerned simply with facts?

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

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

According to Aristotle, plot is the most essential element of tragedy; it is the sole element without which a tragedy could not exist. The development of character, though important, is secondary to the development of plot.

Part 1) Explain why the development of character is secondary to the development of plot.

Part 2) Through Aristotle's perspective, how should the plot of a well-written tragedy be structured?

Essay Topic 2

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 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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