The Structure of a Shakespearean Drama
All of Shakespeare’s plays have 5 acts and a varying number of scenes.
A parallel exists between the number of acts and the universal law of living things (think cycle
of life)
Drama
Life
Introduction
Birth
Rising Action
Growth
Climax
Maturity
Falling Action
Decline (old age)
Conclusion
Death
A Shakespearean tragedy can be divided into six structural elements as follows:
climax
rising action
(with exciting force)
falling action
exposition
catastrophe
The Function of Each Act
Act 1 Exposition, Exciting Force, Rising
Action
- setting is established (time and
place)
- atmosphere is established or
suggested
- introduces the main characters
- provides background information
needed to understand the
circumstances of the play
- introduces the major plot
Act 2 Rising Action
- action begins
- introduces secondary plot
- develops character
Act 3 Climax, Falling Action
- provides climax of the major plot
- begins decline
- may end secondary plot
Act 4 Falling Action
- *may contain the climax of not
in act 3
- begins decline
- may end secondary plot
Act 5 Falling Action / Catastrophe
- conclusion
- ends in death
Instructions: As you read the play, record the main events which take place during each of the
six structural elements of the play.
Structural Element
Exposition
Exciting Force
Rising Action
Climax
Falling Action
Catastrophe
Main Event(s)