Reading a Play Shakespeare’s Comedy Mrs. Jaimes English 2

ACT ONE

I. Exposition The background information needed to understand the story: The background information needed to understand the story: Protagonist, antagonist, basic conflict, setting, etc. Protagonist, antagonist, basic conflict, setting, etc. Provides those parts of the story that occurred prior to the play Provides those parts of the story that occurred prior to the play Occurs at the outset (beginning) of the play, where the dramatic situation is defined Occurs at the outset (beginning) of the play, where the dramatic situation is defined The characters are placed The characters are placed The tensions and conflicts will arise and develop The tensions and conflicts will arise and develop

II. Exciting (or Inciting) Force: Ends the exposition Ends the exposition Triggers the central conflict and its ensuing obstacles Triggers the central conflict and its ensuing obstacles The single incident in the story’s action, without which there would be not story The single incident in the story’s action, without which there would be not story

ACT TWO

III. Rising Action Complications and obstacles occur Complications and obstacles occur take characters through a series of achievements and defeats on the road to their objectives take characters through a series of achievements and defeats on the road to their objectives leads to a major crisis leads to a major crisis The basic conflict is complicated by the introduction of related secondary conflicts The basic conflict is complicated by the introduction of related secondary conflicts This is a decisive turning point in the plot This is a decisive turning point in the plot

ACT THREE

IV. Climax / Crucial Moment / Turning Point The point of highest emotional intensity in the play. The point of highest emotional intensity in the play. Marks a change, for the better or the worse, in the protagonist’s affairs. Marks a change, for the better or the worse, in the protagonist’s affairs. The crucial part of the drama, the point which determines the outcome of the conflict The crucial part of the drama, the point which determines the outcome of the conflict

ACT FOUR

V. Falling Action The series of events that take place after the climax The series of events that take place after the climax leads to its conclusion leads to its conclusion The conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist unravels The conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist unravels

VI. Moment of Final Suspense Included in the falling action Included in the falling action During this moment, the final outcome of the conflict is in doubt During this moment, the final outcome of the conflict is in doubt It seems as if things might turn out to be tragic! A happy ending is in question. It seems as if things might turn out to be tragic! A happy ending is in question.

ACT FIVE

**Denouement** The ending of a comedy The ending of a comedy the protagonist is better off than he or she was at the story’s outset the protagonist is better off than he or she was at the story’s outset The end of the play when the conflicts can be resolved in definite closure OR allowed to linger on in an open-minded, often new, way The end of the play when the conflicts can be resolved in definite closure OR allowed to linger on in an open-minded, often new, way