DRAMATIC STRUCTURE
Drama depends upon plot. The plot structure -- the arrangement of events and actions -- must be relatively simple
so the audience, taking in the play over two or three hours, can easily follow the development of the conflict. To
keep the audience involved, conflict is usually emphasized and conveyed through action and, most importantly,
dialogue.
The structuring of the action is commonly described by the following terms: exposition, rising action, climax, falling
action and denouement.
The exposition brings the audience up to date as quickly as possible, giving the setting (year, time of day, locale,
etc.), the atmosphere (mood) and the main characters. Quite often minor characters are involved in the exposition
preparing us for the entrance of the main characters. In Hamlet, the bleak midnight scene with the appearance of
the ghost sets the tone while the conversation of those present renders the state of affairs in Denmark and provides
a context for Hamlet's situation.
Once the exposition is handled (even before it is handled in some plays), an initial incident occurs to start the action
rising. The ghost tells Hamlet of his murder. Conflict enters the action in the form of protagonist (hero) versus
antagonist (villain), protagonist versus himself, or protagonist versus his environment. For example, Hamlet is in
conflict with Claudius, with himself (should he avenge his father's murder by killing his mother and uncle?) and with
his environment -- "There is something rotten in the state of Denmark" that allows a king to be murdered by his
brother go unchallenged.
The highest point in the rising action leads to the climax, where Hamlet discovers the secret guilt of Claudius by the
device of the play within the play.
After the climax, there is usually a fast falling off of the action. Hamlet's failure to kill the King at his prayers shifts the
control to Claudius and Hamlet's downfall is assured.
The denouement is the final unravelling of the plot complications often involving an important discovery for the main
character or a reversal of fortunes, either unhappy as in tragedy or happy as in comedy.
In the denouement everything that the author wishes to resolve is resolved. In many plays all questions are
answered; all knots are tied securely. In other plays the denouement may be deliberately put on the shoulders of the
audience where it is up to them to decide the answers to the play's questions.
The division of drama into acts and scenes frequently clarifies the plot structure, with each segment often having its
own rising action and climax.
Some questions on plot: What are the main conflicts? What are their causes? How are they developed? How are
they resolved? What expectations are aroused by the plot? Are they fulfilled? If so, how? If not, why not? Are there
subplots? How do they relate to the main plot?