Theatre Quiz 2

Question 1

Poetics

Answer 1

Aristotle’s Poetics is a very influential work of aesthetics within the world of theatre and literature. The work is believed to be composed of Aristotle’s lecture notes. Aristotle’s Poetics can be read asa response to Plato’s ideas in “Republic” - a book by Plato. “Poetics” is believed to have been composed of two books - one on tragedy, and one on comedy. Only the book on Tragedy has survived.

Question 2

Tragedy

Answer 2

the imitation of an action which is serious, complete and substantial; in language made pleasurable … performed by actors, not through narration, effecting through pity and fear the purification of such emotions.

Question 3

Catharsis

Answer 3

Purgation/Pity of fear. The idea was that through watching pitiful/fearful events take place on stage, one could be purged/purified of these emotions.

Question 4

Hamartia:

Answer 4

once defined as a character’s fatal flaw - is now defined to be a character’s mistake, error, or miscalculation.

Question 5

Anagnorisis (recognition)

Answer 5

refers to the moments of understand/realization.

Question 6

Peripetia (reversal)

Answer 6

refers to moments where we think there will be or should be recognition.

Question 7

The Unities of Plot

Answer 7

Time - unity of time suggests that the play should take place in a day, or as close to it as possible.

Place - unity of place suggests that the play should take place in one location.

Action - unity of action suggests that the plot should contain one unified action. (no side-stories, or sub-plots)

Question 8

Complete

Answer 8

According to Aristotle - a tragedy must be an artistic whole meaning it must start with no external presuppositions, and must be complete at its ending.

Question 9

Magnitude

Answer 9

Refers to the length of the play

Question 10

Action/ not narrative

Answer 10

Aristotle insists that every tragedy should have only one action, toward which everything in the play contributes.

Question 11

Serious

Answer 11

This term differentiates tragedy from comedy. The difference between the two is that: tragedy imitates men who are better than the average, and comedy imitates men who are worse.

Question 12

Components of Tragedy

Answer 12

Plot, Character, Thought, Diction, Melody, Spectacle

Question 13

Plot

Answer 13

this is the story or action of the play. According to Aristotle, plot is the most important thing of all. The story of a play must follow a complete arc, by having a beginning, middle, and end. There should be no unsolved questions by the end of the play. The crisis, or problem, in the plot must contain magnitude (the problem should matter). The plot should also be universal - the ideas explored in the plot must be accessible and relatable to everyone.

Question 14

Character

Answer 14

character is secondary to plot. Aristotle believed that there could not be a play without plot, but there could be one without character.

The character should be a good person, of higher status than the audience, should be likeable, should be consistent, and should not be perfect.

Question 15

Thought

Answer 15

The thought is essentially the theme or idea of the play. The thought should be a unifying aspect of the play.

Question 16

Diction

Answer 16

refers to the way that thought is verbally communicated. The definition of tragedy states that the language should be pleasurable and actions should take place through the characters, not through narration.

Question 17

Melody

Answer 17

refers to the collective sound of the play - the rhythm of dialogue, the sound effects of battle, as well as the music of the play.

Question 18

Spectacle

Answer 18

refers to the visual elements of the play - such as, costume, lighting, props, set and movement. The visuals of the play are the least important to Aristotle.