ELEMENTS OF A SHAKESPEAREAN TRAGEDY

EXPOSITION Time and place is established Main characters, their positions,

circumstances, and relationships to one another are revealed

Sets up the mood and conditions Act IExposition

Exposition

EXCITING FORCE This is what gets the plot going It begins the conflict which will

continue in the play Also called the complication or

initial incident Act I

Exciting Force

Exciting Force

RISING ACTION The series of conflicts which lead up

to the climax of the play Acts I, II, and IIIRising Action

Rising Action

CLIMAX The turning point of the play Act III

Climax

Climax

FALLING ACTION The consequences of the turning

point occur New conflicts may result Occurs over several acts Acts III, IV, and V

Falling Action

Falling Action

CATASTROPHE The play concludes with the hero’s

death The hero must die for divine

retribution Act V

Catastrophe

Catastrophe