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April 20, 2005
Question for you English majors out there...
I've got a question that's been bugging me for a while, one of those "I used to know this... really."
In the classic tragedy structure (I'm thinking Shakespeare, etc.), there are some common elements. I seem to recall that there's something called the "tragic flaw" in the main character... stuff like that.
My question is about the point of no return. In a tragedy, we see that things are getting into trouble, but for a while there's still hope that it might turn out for the best. Then there comes a point, an event, after which the tragic end is considered unavoidable. Typically this is around act 3 of 5 or 2 or 3. For example, in Hamlet, this would come around the "To be or not to be" speech, when Hamlet could have has his revenge but didn't, or in Romeo & Juliet when Romeo showed there could be peace between the two houses, but then Tibalt killed Mercutio, sending things out of control. Anyway, I recall that this point had a name, specific to the context of a tragedy's structure. What was the name of that point?
Anyone?
(I'm still geeking out so badly over the coming Revenge of the Sith that I'm wondering where this point will come for Anakin.)
Blog by Dan at April 20, 2005 03:12 PM
Comments
"Climax"
:)
Posted by: Jon at April 22, 2005 11:18 AM
That was what I thought. Then again, I've always thought that "climax" was misnamed. Isn't the climax the most exciting bit? The point of no return is not the most exciting point, it's just the most definitive point for the characters. I always found the climax was near the end, the denouement was usually very short, and the conclusion was more like a door slamming the narrative shut, in the stories I've liked most.
That's just what I've always thought.
Posted by: gordsellar at April 25, 2005 04:02 AM