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MA English Literature Aristotle's Poetics — practice questions

Explore 7 free Aristotle's Poetics questions in MA English Literature English Literature. Open each question or exercise to read its content, reference answers and available explanation.

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Aristotle's Poetics questions and exercises with answers

Showing questions 1–7 of 7.

Aristotle defines tragedy as an imitation of an action that is:Read the answer and worked solution →Aristotle says tragedy uses language 'embellished with each kind of':Read the answer and worked solution →Aristotle's six parts of tragedy are:Read the answer and worked solution →In Aristotle's hierarchy, the FIRST and most important element of tragedy is:Read the answer and worked solution →Aristotle ranks Character in Aristotle's six parts as:Read the answer and worked solution →Aristotle treats Plot's role in tragedy by analogy as:Read the answer and worked solution →Aristotle's six parts of tragedy include Diction, Thought, Spectacle, and which other paired components?Read the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

Aristotle defines tragedy as an imitation of an action that is:

  1. Light, partial, and of any magnitude
  2. Serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude
  3. Comic and brief
  4. Pastoral and private
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Correct answer: B. Serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude

1. This is Aristotle's canonical definition of tragedy. 2. 'Serious' distinguishes tragedy from comedy. 3. 'Magnitude' marks the action's structural completeness. _Source: Project Gutenberg #1974 — Aristotle's Poetics — "Tragedy, then, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude"_

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Aristotle says tragedy uses language 'embellished with each kind of':

  1. Political slogan
  2. Religious doctrine
  3. Artistic ornament
  4. Vernacular slang
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Correct answer: C. Artistic ornament

1. The text uses 'artistic ornament' for the diction-music-spectacle apparatus. 2. The phrase covers metre, song, and figurative embellishment. 3. It signals that tragedy is a composite art form. _Source: Project Gutenberg #1974 — Aristotle's Poetics — "in language embellished with each kind of artistic ornament"_

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Aristotle's six parts of tragedy are:

  1. Plot, Character, Diction, Thought, Spectacle, Song
  2. Plot, Setting, Genre, Tone, Theme, Voice
  3. Action, Time, Place, Audience, Author, Text
  4. Hero, Villain, Chorus, Stage, Mask, Mode
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Correct answer: A. Plot, Character, Diction, Thought, Spectacle, Song

1. The text enumerates the six components explicitly. 2. The order also reflects relative importance for Aristotle. 3. Plot is named first and called 'the soul of a tragedy.' _Source: Project Gutenberg #1974 — Aristotle's Poetics — "Plot, Character, Diction, Thought, Spectacle, Song"_

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