Aristotle divided drama into
three parts: a beginning, a middle, and an end. Perhaps equally influential to
writers and literary critics alike has been the analysis of dramatic structure
of Gustav Freytag(1816-1895), who divides drama or screen play into five acts.
* 1 Freytag’s analysis
o 1.1 Exposition
o 1.2 Rising action
o 1.3 Climax (turning point)
o 1.4 Falling action
o 1.5 Dénouement or catastrophe or
Resolution
Freytag’s analysis of dramatic
structure is sometimes represented by means of a visual aid known as Freytag’s
Pyramid.
Exposition
In the exposition, the background
information that is needed to properly understand the story is provided. Such
information includes the protagonist, the antagonist, the basic conflict, the
setting, and so forth.
The exposition ends with the inciting
moment, which is the single incident in the story’s action 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.
Rising action
During rising action, the basic
conflict is complicated by the introduction of related secondary conflicts,
including various obstacles that frustrate the protagonist’s attempt to reach
their goal. Secondary conflicts can include adversaries of lesser importance
than the story’s antagonist, who may work with the antagonist or separately, by
and for themselves.
Climax (turning point)
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, 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.
Falling action
During the falling action, the
conflict between the protagonist and the antagonist unravels, with the
protagonist winning or losing against the antagonist. The falling action might
contain a moment of final suspense, during which the final outcome of the
conflict is in doubt.
Resolution
The comedy ends with a dénouement
(a conclusion) in which the protagonist is better off than at the story’s
outset. The tragedy ends with a catastrophe in which the protagonist is worse
off than at the beginning of the narrative.
Although Freytag’s analysis of
dramatic structure is based on five-act plays, it can be applied (sometimes in
a modified manner) to short stories and novels as well
