Which work outlines Exposition, complication, reversal, recognition, and resolution?

• A. Aristotle's Poetics
• B. Horace's Ars Poetica
• C. Dante's De Monarchia
• D. Longinus' On the Sublime

Answer: (A)

The question tests understanding of where classic plot structure components are analyzed in early literary theory. Aristotle's Poetics provides the foundational discussion of how a tragedy should be organized, outlining a clear progression of events that moves from setup to rising action, with turning points that intensify the drama. In this work, the reversal (peripeteia) and the recognition (anagnorisis) are key moments that change the hero’s fate, driving the action toward its resolution. That emphasis on how plot unfolds—from exposition through complication and turning points to a concluding outcome—makes it the best fit for outlining those elements. The other works address different aims: Horace's Ars Poetica discusses poetic craft and standards more broadly, Dante's De Monarchia covers political theory, and Longinus' On the Sublime focuses on the effects and grandeur of expression rather than a specific plot blueprint.