Dramatic Structure of Shakespeare’s Plays

The Basic Plot Structure Diagram

for FICTION

Dramatic Structure

Act IIIThe 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 IITragic Hero

acts because of his tragic

flaw

Act I – IntroductionExposition

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 actionThe 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 actionThe 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

DénouementThe 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

CatastropheIn Shakespeare's tragedies, The tragedy ends with a catastrophe in which the protagonist is worse off than when the story began.