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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. In a tragic story, a mother who is about to kill her son--and she is aware that it is her son--does not carry out the action. Aristotle uses this as an example of what?

2. In depicting his main character, Aristotle says that the poet should always accomplish four things. Of the following, which is NOT one of these four things?

3. Aristotle asserts that the main character of a tragedy must have what?

4. Why does Aristotle believe that a failed action by a character that is unaware is more effective than a failed action by a character that is aware?

5. Aristotle explains that the complication in plot leads to what?

Short Essay Questions

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

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

3. 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.

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

5. Based on "Poetics" by Aristotle, explain how the effect of a sad plot will be magnified?

6. Does Aristotle believe that Homer's "Iliad" should be written in the format of a tragedy? Why or why not?

7. What does Aristotle identify as the most successful kind of action in a tragedy and why?

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

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

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

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Choose one of the following options to write about:

1) Discuss "Recognition" as defined by Aristotle and provide an example from "Poetics".

2) Discuss "Reversal of Situation" as defined by Aristotle and provide an example from "Poetics".

3) Based on Aristotle's teachings, explain how complex actions may effectively uses these devices.

Essay Topic 2

Aristotle teaches through "Poetics" that poets may use words metaphorically, and he explains that this is done in many ways.

1) Explain various ways in which a character uses words metaphorically.

2) Differentiate between various forms of metaphors.

3) Provide examples of how Aristotle says Homer's "Iliad" uses metaphors.

Essay Topic 3

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?

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