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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 type of tragedy does Aristotle say does NOT require impressive visual effects when performed on stage to impress their spectators?
2. When is a sign considered to be poorly used in the plot device of recognition according to Aristotle?
3. What would Aristotle say about the following action: a man is about to kill his brother, thinking him to be his enemy, but discovers his identity and therefore spares his life?
4. Aristotle explains that the complication in plot leads to what?
5. When an evil character of a tragic story is suddenly thrust into misfortune, it has been said that this satisfies the moral sense of the audience, but Aristotle asserts that the misfortune does not inspire what?
Short Essay Questions
1. What does Aristotle identify as the most successful kind of action in a tragedy and why?
2. 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?
3. 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?
4. 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.
5. Give an example that Aristotle provides in "Poetics" of the most successful kind of action in a tragedy.
6. What type of recognition is considered by Aristotle to be superior to the others and why?
7. What types of situations does Aristotle say occur frequently in tragedy and why?
8. In addition to recognition through sign, what are some other ways that Aristotle identifies as ways in which recognition can occur?
9. In regard to the plot device of recognition, give an example that Aristotle provides in "Poetics" of how recognition can occur through some recognition of sign.
10. If the tragedy is to be performed, what does Aristotle say the poet should ensure and why?
Essay Topics
Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:
Essay Topic 1
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 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
Aristotle divides the plot of a tragedy into two parts: the complication and the unraveling.
Part 1) Discuss the complication.
Part 2) Discuss the unraveling.
Part 3) Provide examples of each.
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This section contains 1,041 words (approx. 4 pages at 300 words per page) |
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