Reading a PlayReading a Play

Shakespeare’s Shakespeare’s ComedyComedy

Mrs. JaimesMrs. Jaimes

English 2 English 2

ACT ACT ONEONE

I. ExpositionI. ExpositionThe background information needed to The background information needed to

understand the story: understand the story: Protagonist, antagonist, basic conflict, setting, Protagonist, antagonist, basic conflict, setting,

etc.etc.Provides those parts of the story that Provides those parts of the story that

occurred prior to the playoccurred prior to the playOccurs at the outset (beginning) of the Occurs at the outset (beginning) of the

play, where the dramatic situation is play, where the dramatic situation is defineddefinedThe characters are placedThe characters are placedThe tensions and conflicts will arise and The tensions and conflicts will arise and

developdevelop

II. Exciting (or Inciting) Force:II. Exciting (or Inciting) Force:

Ends the expositionEnds the expositionTriggers the central conflict and its Triggers the central conflict and its

ensuing obstaclesensuing obstaclesThe single incident in the story’s The single incident in the story’s

action, without which there would be action, without which there would be not storynot story

ACT TWOACT TWO

III. Rising ActionIII. Rising Action

Complications and obstacles occur Complications and obstacles occur take characters through a series of take characters through a series of

achievements and defeats on the road to achievements and defeats on the road to their objectivestheir objectives

leads to a major crisisleads to a major crisisThe basic conflict is complicated by the The basic conflict is complicated by the

introduction of related secondary introduction of related secondary conflictsconflicts

This is a decisive turning point in the plotThis is a decisive turning point in the plot

ACT ACT THREETHREE

IV. Climax / Crucial Moment / IV. Climax / Crucial Moment / Turning PointTurning Point

The point of highest emotional intensity in The point of highest emotional intensity in the play.the play.

Marks a change, for the better or the Marks a change, for the better or the worse, in the protagonist’s affairs.worse, in the protagonist’s affairs.

The crucial part of the drama, the point The crucial part of the drama, the point which determines the outcome of the which determines the outcome of the conflictconflict

ACT ACT FOURFOUR

V. Falling ActionV. Falling Action

The series of events that take place The series of events that take place after the climaxafter the climaxleads to its conclusionleads to its conclusion

The conflict between the protagonist The conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist unravelsand the antagonist unravels

VI. Moment of Final VI. Moment of Final SuspenseSuspense

Included in the falling actionIncluded in the falling action

During this moment, the final During this moment, the final outcome of the conflict is in doubtoutcome of the conflict is in doubtIt seems as if things might turn out to be It seems as if things might turn out to be

tragic! A happy ending is in question.tragic! A happy ending is in question.

ACT FIVEACT FIVE

**Denouement****Denouement**The ending of a comedyThe ending of a comedy

the protagonist is better off than he or the protagonist is better off than he or she was at the story’s outsetshe was at the story’s outset

The end of the play when the The end of the play when the conflicts can be resolved in definite conflicts can be resolved in definite closure OR allowed to linger on in an closure OR allowed to linger on in an open-minded, often new, wayopen-minded, often new, way