ARISTOTLE, THE POETICS
STUDY QUESTIONS
1. Write a one-page summary of Aristotle's main points.
2. According to Aristotle, what natural capacity of man produced poetry?
3. What developments in the theatrical performance were Aeschylus and Sophocles
responsible for?
4. What does Aristotle mean by the statement: "Tragedy endeavors to keep as far as
possible within a single circuit of the sun?" (Pay special attention to Chapters
6-14)
5. What is Aristotle's definition of tragedy (chap. 6)?
6. Again in chapter 6, why does Aristotle say that plot is the most important part
of a tragedy?
7. According to Aristotle, of what proportion must a play be (chap. 7)?
8. What does unity mean to Aristotle (chap. 8)?
9. What is the difference between Poetry and History. (chap. 9)?
10. What do "propter hoc" and "post hoc" mean (chap. 10)?
11. What is the perfect personage and plot for a tragedy (chap. 13)?
12. How does a good poet arose fear or pity in his audience (chap. 14)?
14. What does it mean to make a character "consistent and the same throughout"
(chap. 15)?
15. Why did Homer not include the story of the Trojan horse in the Iliad (chap. 23)?
16. What does Aristotle mean by the art of "framing lies?" (chap. 24)?
17. Can it be morally wrong for a character to perform some actions on stage (chap. 25)?
18. Is tragedy or epic the higher form of imitation (chap. 26)? Why?