Aristotle, Tragedy and Oedipus

As Aristotle defines it, "poetry" could include any of the following modes of writing:

• Tragedy

• Comedy

• Epic Poetry

• a novel

• all of these could be considered "poetry" according to his definition.

A Tragic Hero needs to have all of the following EXCEPT:

• a flaw

• high status

• suffers a fall

• gained wisdom

• catharsis

According to Aristotle, a tragedy should provoke which TWO emotions?

• fear / pity

• fear / happiness

• empathy / sympathy

• pity / empathy

A good tragedian will create an emotional release in his audience called a ___________________

• catharsis

• hamartia

• hubris

• recognition

• anagnorisis

According to Aristotle, the MOST important element of Tragedy is __________

• Plot

• Thought

• Diction

• Spectacle

• Character

According to Aristotle, the LEAST important element of Tragedy is __________

• Spectacle

• Song

• Character

• Diction

• Thought

When Aristotle defines "Thought" as an element of Tragedy, students like us--in Mr. Biggs' class--should recognize that he is defining what we might consider ____________

• theme

• action

• poetry

• language devices

• diction

When Aristotle explains "reversal of situation," he seems to be defining...

• irony

• the tragic flaw

• hubris

• the chorus

According to Aristotle, the biggest difference between Comedy and Tragedy involves...

• the status of the main characters

• the lack of a Reversal of Situation

• the lack of Recognition

• the use of clowns

If Aristotle were alive today, he would likely call all of the following examples of "Imitation" EXCEPT:

• an episode of Law & Order

• Childish Gambino's "This is America" music video

• Star Wars (episode 4 - A New Hope)

• The Bachelor

• All of them would count