5Dramatic+text+structure

The Structure of a Dramatic Text  **The opening** - This is the beginning of the play and where the playwright introduces the main characters, the setting and the other information that the audience needs to know so they can follow the plot. It is sometimes called the exposition (argument). Eg. //In Merchant of Venice, the setting is Venice. The main characters are Antonio and Basanio. Some other important characters are Gratanio, Salarino and Salanio.//  **Rising Action** - This is the action that takes the plot forward and builds up to the climax. Eg. //Basanio wants money from Antonio to impress the woman of his dreams. Since he is already in debt to Antonio it seems likely that he will get even further into debt with Antonio and lose this money like he has lost all the rest.//

**Complication** - This is the event in the plot that causes other events to occur and leads to the climax. It is the event that sets off the chain reaction within the play. Eg. //Antonio and Basanio go to Shylock for the money and he wants a pound of flesh if the debt cannot be repayed.//  **Climax** - This is the 'high point' in the play. It is the point to which the rising action has been leading. Eg. //The courtroom scene. Shylock tries to get his pound of flesh and the Venetians seem bound to give it to him. Will he get it or won't he?//

**Falling action** - This is the action that occurs after the climax and leads to the end. Eg. //Shylock has been defeated and is punished. Both Antonio and Basanio are grateful and go off to see Portia.//

**Denoument** - This is the 'unravelling' where the audience learns how and why things happened as they did. It occurs within the falling action. Eg. //We learn that even the laws of Venice have a racist side to them. Basanio, Gratanio and Antonio learn that it was Portia who saved the day and who tricked Basanio and Gratanio into giving up their rings.//

**Ending** - This is the conclusion of the play. It sometimes has a moral or message about life. Eg. //Basanio and Gratanio are taught to respect the abilities of women and not to take them for granted. If the men step out of line the women will take revenge on them (eg. the rings). Everyone lives happily ever after, except for Shylock.//