Which of these is Aristotle's
premise for unity of action?
A. A tragedy should have no action, as it would present a lack of decorum in the main
character.
B. A tragedy should have one principal action.
C. A tragedy should have no action and consist of many speeches.
D. A tragedy should be action packed in one
place.
To determine Aristotle's premise for unity of action, let's analyze the options.
A. A tragedy should have no action, as it would present a lack of decorum in the main character. This option contradicts the basic essence of tragedy, which is characterized by action and conflict.
B. A tragedy should have one principal action. This option aligns with Aristotle's concept of unity of action. In his work "Poetics," Aristotle argued that a tragedy should have a single, main action or plotline, which is cohesive and not fragmented.
C. A tragedy should have no action and consist of many speeches. This option also contradicts Aristotle's theory, as he emphasized the importance of action in a tragedy.
D. A tragedy should be action-packed in one place. This option mentions the importance of action but limits it to one particular place, which does not accurately reflect Aristotle's view.
Considering the analysis above, the correct answer is B. A tragedy should have one principal action. This principle of unity of action is essential for maintaining coherence, clarity, and focus in a tragedy, according to Aristotle's teachings.