Analyzing and Interpreting Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

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According to Aristotle, tragedy is a genre of literature that typically involves which of the following?

Comic relief.
A moral lesson.
A protagonist’s downfall.
A happy ending.

The correct answer is: A protagonist’s downfall.

Tragedy is a form of literature that typically involves serious and somber events that ultimately lead to the downfall or destruction of the main character, known as the protagonist. This definition aligns with Aristotle's views on tragedy, as he believed that the protagonist's downfall is an essential element of the genre. Option A, comic relief, refers to a technique used in tragedy to temporarily lighten the mood, but it is not a defining feature of the genre. Option B, a moral lesson, may be present in tragedy, but it is not a necessary component. Lastly, option D, a happy ending, goes against the nature of tragedy, which aims to evoke emotions such as fear, pity, and catharsis through the tragic events and downfall of the protagonist. Therefore, option C is the most accurate description of what tragedy according to Aristotle.