Dictionary
Exposition/protasis: a comprehensive description and explanation of an idea or theory. (The beginning of a story)
Inciting Incident: The inciting incident is an episode, plot point or event that hooks the reader into the story. This particular moment is when an event thrusts the protagonist into the main action of the story. (Key event that starts the story off)
Rising Action/epistasis: Rising action in a plot is a series of relevant incidents that create suspense, interest, and tension in a narrative. In literary works, a rising action includes all decisions, characters’ flaws, and background circumstances that together create turns and twists leading to a climax. (Story starts to progress and lead to climax)
Climax: the most intense, exciting, or important point of something; the culmination.
Reversal/ peripeteia: a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances, especially in reference to fictional narrative. (reversal of fortune)
Hamartia: a fatal flaw leading to the downfall of a tragic hero or heroine.
Hubris: excessive pride or self-confidence.
Falling Action/ catastasis: Falling action is defined as the parts of a story after the climax and before the very end. (Things start to wind down)
Catastrophe: an event causing great and usually sudden damage or suffering; a disaster.
Denouement: the final part of a play, film, or narrative in which the strands of the plot are drawn together and matters are explained or resolved. (Conclusion)
Recognition/anagnorisis: Anagnorisis is a moment in a plot or story, specifically a tragedy, wherein the main character either recognizes or identifies his/her true nature, recognizes the other character’s true identity, discovers the true nature of his situation, or that of the others – leading to the resolution of the story. (Tragic hero finally recognizes his/her true nature)
Catharsis: the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
- Imitation of action: Tragedy, is an imitation of an action that is serious, complete, and of a certain magnitude.
2. Plot, character, diction, thought, spectacle, song
3. Relateable. Tragedy is a genre of story in which a hero is brought down by his/her own flaws, usually by ordinary human flaws – flaws like greed, over-ambition, or even an excess of love, honor, or loyalty. Having a story which is relatable enables the readers to connect at a deeper level with the novel, relate to the character and story.