ARISTOTELIAN ANALYSIS

ARISTOTELIAN ANALYSIS

Be specific!  Give Examples!

Type your analysis on a separate sheet of paper. YOUR PAPER HAS TO BE AT LEAST ONE FULL PAGE. 12 font. Double-spaced.

You may answer these questions in a paragraph format or you may list the answers in complete sentences.

ALL you have to do is respond to the questions using complete sentences and support your opinions with evidence from the cultural event.

OVER-ALL IMPRESSION:  What was your overall impression of the event?  What did it make you feel? Would you return to see the event?  Why or why not?  What was the purpose of the event?   If a performance, answer these questions also:  What did you think of the design/technical elements?  Acting? Directing? Dancing? 

CHARACTER:  Were the main characters of the presenters interesting?  Why or why not? How well did they do their job?  Did you empathize with them?  Define their voices, their take on the world (what makes him/her tick?)   If a performance, answer these questions also: Who does each character THINK he/she is?  Who is she/he really?  How does each character change from beginning to the end?

ACTION/RHYTHM/SHAPE:  Describe the way the production or presentation unfolded.  What was the central action of the play or the main moment of the presentation?  What event lead up to the presentation or the main speaker?  Did the events leading up to the main speaker help or hinder the speaker’s purpose?  If a performance, answer these questions also: Where are the major crises?  How well is the exposition laid into the play?  What is the problem and how well was the problem presented?

IDEAS/THOUGHT:  Is the play/production/speaker/presentation about anything?  What?  Is there a principle theme? How/Where are the themes revealed in the production or event?  Is it embedded in the action? How? What is the big idea? The small ideas? Is the theme universal or topical?

LANGUAGE:  Did the language help or hinder the production or event?  How did the speaker use words to engage the listener?  If a performance, answer these questions also: What kind of language does each character use?  (Rhythms, grammar, vocabulary, realistic? colloquial?)  Is the language ever not pushing the action forward?  Where is the language just talk?  Are monologues used to reveal character?

THE WORLD OF THE PLAY/MUSIC/SPECTACLE:  Describe the world created for the event or the production.  Did the environment hinder or help you become an active participant in the presentation. Describe the music used and tell how it was used.  Did it help to set the tone and mood for the event?  Did it enhance your enjoyment of the event?  If a performance, answer these questions also:  Describe in detail the set and how it was used to create the world onstage.  How did the music help you understand the moments that were happening onstage?