The Poetics Of Aristotle

Question 0

Aim of comedy?

Answer 0

To portray characters as worse than we are

Question 1

Commonality between epic poetry, tragedy, comedy, diathyramb, music of the flute, and lyre

Answer 1

All forms of imitation/ representation

Question 2

Aim of tragedy?

Answer 2

To portray characters as better than we are

Question 3

As to the manner in which an object may be imitated, specify the different ways that Aristotle mentions.

Answer 3

• narration and dialogue
• pure narration
• pure dialogue

Question 4

Why contribution did Aeschylus and Sophocles make to drama?

Answer 4

Aeschylus- added 2nd character(created dialogue)

Sophocles- added 3rd character & painted scenery

Question 5

Difference between epic poetry and tragedy?

Answer 5

Epic- narrative, length, one meter (no time limit)

Tragedy- 2 meters, dramatic (rather than narrative), best ones are in a single day

Question 6

Aristoteles famous definition of tragedy?

Answer 6

Imitation of an action that is serious, complete of a certain magnitude embellished language each in its appropriate place in the form of action arousing pity & fear and their perception (catharsis)

Question 7

What does Aristotle mean by pleasurable or embellished language?

Answer 7

A language that has embellishments of rhythm, melody, and song

Question 8

Six elements of tragedy

Answer 8

1. Plot-the action of the play
2. Diction- how lines are said
3. Character- must be consistent and played well
4. Melody- musical accompaniment 5. Thought- what is said
   6 spectacle- scenery/ costume/ special effect

Question 9

Most important element

Answer 9

Fable

Question 10

What does Aristotle mean by compete and entire?

Answer 10

Has a beginning, middle, end- no detours

Question 11

What does Aristotle mean by a certain magnitude

Answer 11

Has a length that must be such as to present a whole easily comprehended by the memory

Question 12

When is the fable one and entire (unified)?

Answer 12

The parts are so connected that if any of them be either transposed or taken away the whole will be destroyed or changed

Question 13

Difference between the poet and historian

Answer 13

(Poetry is more philosophical and excellent), poetry is chiefly conversant about the truth; history about particular

Question 14

Difference between a simple and a complex plot

Answer 14

Simple is when it is a catastrophe and is produced without either revolution or discovery: complicated when with one or both

Question 15

What does Aristotle mean by revolution

Answer 15

A change into the reverse of what is suspected

Question 16

What does Aristotle mean by discovery?

Answer 16

A change from the unknown to known happening between those characters whose happiness or unhappiness forms the catastrophe of the drama terminating in friendship or enmity

Question 17

What is the best sort of discovery?

Answer 17

Is that wish is accompanied by a revolution, such as in the Oedipus

Question 18

Name and explain the parts into which a tragic play is divided

Answer 18

1. Prologue- that part of a tragedy which precedes the parody of the chorus
2. Episode- all that part which is included between entire choral odds
3. Exode- the going out of exit/non choral ode afterwards
4. Chorus-

Question 19

What kind of plots must be avoided in tragedy?

Answer 19

Prosperity to adversity should occur to a virtuous character and vice versa for a vitious character

Question 20

What mind of plot is suitable for tragedy?

Answer 20

One that excited terror and pity

Question 21

What type of incidents are apt to provoke the maximum terror in the audience

Answer 21

When there is a resemblance between the sufferer and ourselves

Question 22

In how many says may the atrocious or tragic action be perpetrated?

Answer 22

• Knowingly and intentionally
• by those who are ignorant
• where a person upon the point of perpetrating, though ignorance, some dreadful deed, is prevented by a sudden discovery