Aristotle states in his Poetics that, “Those who employ spectacular means to create a sense not of the terrible but of the merely monstrous are strangers to the purpose of tragedy.” What is that purpose?

a) It is to create a specific sense of pity and fear through the witnessing of actions, not just spectacle for the sake of extreme emotions.
b) It prompts the pursuit of a good life through witnessing balanced actions.
c) It serves to distract from the conflicts of everyday life by presenting spectacle which leads, in turn, to happiness
d) It teaches ethical behavior by modeling appropriate behaviors and emotions of admirable characters.

Answer: a