Dramatic Structure of Shakespeare’s Plays

The Basic Plot Structure Diagram for FICTION

Dramatic Structure Act III The Point of No Return for Tragic Hero Act IV Consequences of the Point of No Return - Act V – Catharsis – The Tragic Hero shows remorse Shakespearean Drama Plot Structure Diagram Act I Tragic Hero’s Tragic Flaw is Introduced Act II Tragic Hero acts because of his tragic flaw

Act I – Introduction Exposition The exposition provides the background information needed to properly understand the story, such as the protagonist, the antagonist, the basic conflict, and the setting. It ends with the inciting moment, which is the incident without which there would be no story. The inciting moment sets the remainder of the story in motion beginning with the second act, the rising action. Act I, Scene vii

Act II - Rising action The floating dagger Forgetting to leave the daggers with the guards During rising action, the basic internal conflict is complicated by various obstacles that frustrate the protagonist's attempt to reach his goal. Banquo knows the prophecy The witches The blood….. Macbeth was disturbed when he couldn’t say “amen” with the guards

Act III, Climax The third act is that of the climax, or turning point, which marks a change, for the better or the worse, in the protagonist’s affairs.

If the story is a comedy or Romance, things will have gone badly for the protagonist up to this point; now, the tide, so to speak, will turn, and things will begin to go well for him or her. If the story is a tragedy, the opposite state of affairs will ensue, with things going from good to bad for the protagonist.

Act IV - Falling action The falling action might contain a moment of final suspense, during which the final outcome of the conflict is in doubt. Remember: The falling action is that part of the story in which the turning point of the main character is now evident in his/her actions. In Macbeth, we see that Macbeth is now wicked. “By the pricking of my thumbs, / Something wicked this way comes” – say the witches – and then…Macbeth walks on stage (4.1.61–62).

Act V - Resolution Dénouement The comedy ends with a dénouement (a conclusion) in which the protagonist is better off than when the story began. In the comedy As You Like It, couples marry, an evildoer repents, two disguised characters are revealed for all to see, two sets of brothers reunite and the rightful ruler is restored to power. Conflicts are resolved, creating normality for the characters and a sense of catharsis, or release of tension and anxiety, for the audience because evil has been punished Catastrophe In Shakespeare's tragedies, The tragedy ends with a catastrophe in which the protagonist is worse off than when the story began.