Knowledge Check

Worksheet Description

This worksheet is designed to deepen students’ understanding of catharsis, a term that plays a significant role in literary studies, especially within the realms of tragedy and drama. The activity prompts learners to choose appropriate words from a given list to complete sentences about catharsis, fostering their ability to recall and apply literary concepts accurately. It begins with the etymology of ‘catharsis’, moving to its role in the emotional release experienced by the audience of a tragedy, and the historical context of the term as first explored by Aristotle.

The second part of the worksheet requires students to apply the concept of catharsis beyond tragedies, considering its effect in dramas and comedies, thus challenging the traditional boundaries of the term. This activity not only reinforces the definition and scope of catharsis but also encourages students to consider the emotional impact of a narrative on its audience. By connecting the theoretical aspects with the emotional responses elicited, the worksheet prepares students to think critically about the purpose and impact of storytelling across different genres.