Aristotle's Poetics

Question 1

What are Aristotle’s seven characteristics of tragedy?

Answer 1

It’s mimetic, it’s serious, it tells a story of appropriate length, it contains rhythm and harmony, rhythm and harmony occur in different combinations in different parts of the tragedy, it’s performed rather than narrated, it arouses feelings of pity and fear and then purges these feelings through catharsis

Question 2

What are the six component parts of tragedy from most to least important?

Answer 2

Plot, character, thought, diction, melody, spectacle

Question 3

What does Aristotle call reversal of fortune?

Answer 3

Peripeteia

Question 4

What does Aristotle call discovery?

Answer 4

Anagnorisis

Question 5

What four things does Aristotle say a hero needs to have?

Answer 5

enjoys great reputation/ prosperity, not outstanding in virtue or just behaviour, falls into bad fortune but not through vice or wickedness

Question 6

Plotline

Answer 6

The best tragic play has a single plotline which is complex. Three elements: suffering, recognition, reversal