Aristotle distinguishes between poetry and history, saying that while history deals with what has been, poetry deals with what might be it presents the possible as probable or necessary. poetry is superior to history because history always deals with particular cases while poetry can express universal and general truths. Tragedy gives a feeling of necessity or at least probability to the way certain characters behave in certain situation and gives us insight into general principles regarding fate, choice, and so on. The worst kind of plot is the episodic plot, where there is no seeming necessity or probability whatsoever between events.

           My reaction to odysseus's situation is that he is heroic which is a hero of the trojan war. he is loyal and wants to get back to his home. 

           My reaction to telemachus's situation is that with the consent of Zeus, Athena travels to Ithaca to speak with Telemachus. Assuming the form of odysseus's old friend mentes, athena predicts that odysseus is still alive and that he will soon return to ithaca. She advises telemachus to call together the suitors and announce their banishment from his father's estate. she then tells him that he must make a journey to Pylos and Sparta to ask for any news of his father.

           My reaction to Penelope's situation is crazy since it was 20 years since odysseus had left his palace, but still his wife Penelope had some hope he would return, though most believed him dead. 

           Even though we know how the story ends we read it because it allows us to digest information more easily because it connects that information to emotions and it is effective at teaching in a way that people can easily remember, and at helping people relate to one another.