Question

a perfect tragedy should, as we have seen, be arranged not on the simple but on the complex plan. it should, moreover, imitate actions which excite pity and fear, this being the distinctive mark of tragic imitation. it follows plainly, in the first place, that the change of fortune presented must not be the spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity: for this thoves neither pity nor fear; it merely shocks us. nor, again, that of a bad man passing from adversity to prosperity: for nothing can be more alien to the spirit of tragedy; it possesses no single tragic quality; it neither satisfies the moral sense nor calls forth pity or fear. nor, again, should the downfall of the utter villain be exhibited. a plot of this kind would, doubtless, satisfy the moral sense, but it would inspire neither pity nor fear; for pity is aroused by unmerited misfortune, fear by the misfortune of a man like ourselves. such an event, therefore, will be neither pitiful nor terrible. there remains, then, the character between these two extremes - that of a man who is not eminently good and just. 3. what does the word \spectacle\ most closely mean as it is used in paragraph 2? a. a boring scene b. a heros triumph c. a tidy conclusion d. a dramatic scene

Explanation:

To determine the meaning of "spectacle" in the paragraph, we analyze the context: "the spectacle of a virtuous man brought from prosperity to adversity". A "dramatic scene" fits as it describes a situation (a virtuous man's downfall) that is a notable, impactful event, which aligns with the idea of a spectacle. Option A is incorrect (it's not boring), B is incorrect (it's a downfall, not triumph), and C is incorrect (it's not a conclusion).

Answer:

D. a dramatic scene