English 4 -- Unit 4 - William Shakespeare's Macbeth - Dramatic Structure of a Tragedy This chart is adapted from Sydney Theatre Co Education and The Purple Book
A Shakespearean tragedy traditionally follows the Freytag Pyramid (plot structure diagram ^) which
consists of five parts: Exposition, Rising Action, Climax, Falling Action, and Denouement. For each of
these parts, list important / significant details (not random parts) advance the plot and/or give us crucial
information about what the characters are doing. You MUST have at least ONE detail from EACH scene
in each Act.
ACTI - Exposition - The exposition 'sets the stage' by introducing the characters, describing the setting,
and identifying the conflict. (seven scenes]
ACT 2 - Rising Action - The plot thickens' with the addition of complications, which cause difficulties for
the main characters and make the conflict more difficult to resolve. (four scenes]
ACT 3 - Climax - The climax is the turning point in the play that changes the protagonist's fate. The
climax is the consequence of the events that occurred in the rising action. Nothing can be the same after
this point. (six scenes)
ACT 4 - Falling Action - This part includes the plot that happens after the climax. The falling action often
contains a moment of suspense. Often, the conflict is resolved, and the intensity of the action subsides.
Things begin to wind down. (three scenes]
ACT 5 - Resolution and Denouement (untie) – 'The End' - This is the part after the conflict is resolved
(resolution), and life in the drama somewhat returns to normal. All loose ends are tied up and the story
ends. Iseven scenes]