For Aristotle, the poet's job is saying not what did happen but what
A) is not probable.
B) is sure to happen.
C) could never happen.
D) would happen.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Aristotle believed that the poet's role was to depict not what actually happened but what could happen according to the laws of probability or necessity. This means the poet focuses on events that are possible and could logically occur, which is what makes poetry a higher art than history for Aristotle, as history merely recounts what has already happened.

For Aristotle, the Poet's Job Is Saying Not What Did