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Five Act Structure: The Dramatic Structure

Lesson Plans by Rebecca Ray

Structures of a Play

Plays have been a popular form of entertainment since ancient Greece. One significant element in playwriting is the utilization of a formal plot structure, offering a clear and organized framework for shaping the structure of a play. Structuring is essential for writers to create a cohesive plot with well-defined plot points and character arcs and as such, acts are essential to explain plot structure in drama. There are two main types of dramatic structures used to characterize plays. Aristotle was one of the first to write about drama and describe its three segments: beginning, middle, and end. Over time, dramas evolved, the Roman poet, Horace advocated for five acts, and many centuries later, a German playwright, Gustav Freytag, developed the 5-act play structure commonly used today to analyze classical and Shakespearean dramas. The 5-act and three-act structures, which represent distinct parts of a play, serve as fundamental frameworks that can be observed in plays across all literary genres, from mysteries to contemporary novels, science fiction, classical dramas or even tragedy. Structure provides a fundamental blueprint for organizing the progression of narrative events. The pattern of this 5-act story structure can be seen in the familiar plot diagram called Freytag's pyramid, also known as the dramatic arc. It is a visual representation of a 5-act play that shows the structure of the plot in terms of exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution:

The Three Act Structure

Aristotle believed that every piece of poetry or drama must have a beginning, middle and end. These divisions were developed by the Roman, Aelius Donatus, and called Protasis, Epitasis, and Catastrophe. The three-act story structure has seen a revival in recent years, as cinema blockbusters and hit TV shows have adopted it.

The Five Act Structure

The five act structure expands the classical divisions and can be overlaid on a traditional plot diagram, as it follows the same five parts. Shakespearean plays especially are known for following this structure.

In the illustration above, the narrative arc of the Plot Diagram is between the Five Act Structure (top) and Aristotle’s divisions (bottom).

Format of a Five Act Plot Structure

Act One: The Exposition

Here, the audience learns the setting (time/place), characters are developed, and a conflict is presented, usually with the introduction of some form of exciting force. An exciting force or what can be referred to as an inciting incident can be in the form of an event or circumstance that disrupts the status quo and sets the plot in motion, leading the protagonist to take action and begin their journey of self-discovery.

Act Two: Rising Action

The action of this act leads the audience to the climax. It is common for complications to arise, or for the protagonist to encounter obstacles.

Act Three: The Climax

This is the turning point of the play. Acts often culminate in the climax, characterized by the highest amount of suspense.

Act Four: Falling Action

Falling action is the part of a play where the conflict that was introduced in the rising action begins to unravel and the tension starts to dissipate. During this stage, the protagonist's struggles are often resolved, and the audience can begin to see the consequences of their actions.

Act Five: Denouement or Resolution

This is the final outcome of the drama. Here the author's tone about his or her subject matter is revealed, and sometimes a moral or lesson is learned.

How to Write Five-Act Structures

Understanding that the two dramatic structures, namely the three-act and 5-act structures, have different components and plot points is crucial for writers and analysts of plays. Acts shape the drama. Depending on how many acts in a play feature significant turning points and climactic moments, the audience's engagement and emotional investment can vary, adding depth and complexity to the theatrical experience. The following steps outline how to write a play using the five act structure.

Identify the Key Plot Points: Begin by identifying the main events that will shape the story, such as the inciting incident, the climax, and the resolution.
Divide the Story Into Five Acts: Divide the story into five parts: the introduction, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution.
Set the Stage: The introduction should establish the setting and introduce the main characters, while also setting up the main part of the story where complications arise. In the first half of the play, the audience is introduced to the main characters and the initial conflict, setting the stage for the unfolding drama. In the second half, the story intensifies, presenting greater challenges and pushing the narrative to its climax.
Build the Tension: In the rising action, the protagonist should face increasingly difficult obstacles that raise the stakes and create tension for the audience.
Reach the Climax: The main climatic moment is the turning point of the story, where the protagonist must confront the main conflict and make a crucial decision.
Begin the Resolution: The falling action should provide a sense of closure and begin to tie up loose ends from the story.
Bring the Story to a Close: In the resolution, the protagonist should achieve some form of resolution, either positive or negative, that provides a sense of closure for the audience.
Edit and Revise: Once the story is complete, revise and edit the structure as needed to ensure that the story flows smoothly and the dramatic structure is effectively employed.

By following these steps, you can create a five-act dramatic structure that effectively engages your audience and provides a compelling narrative.

Examples of the Five Act Structure with Shakespeare's Plays

Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, serves as a good example of the five-act structure. By using Freytag's pyramid to analyze the plot, we can see how the play's events unfold and identify the key plot points that drive the story forward.

Romeo and Juliet

Romeo and Juliet, one of Shakespeare's most well-known plays, serves as a good example of the 5-act structure. By using the Freytag pyramid to analyze the plot, we can see how the play's events unfold and identify the key plot points that drive the story forward.

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Act 1: The Exposition

Setting: Verona Italy, 16th or 17th century
Characters: Capulets and Montagues, specifically, Romeo and Juliet
Conflict: The Montagues and Capulets are feuding

Act 2: Rising Action

Romeo and Juliet fall in love but cannot be together because their families do not like each other. They decide to get married in secret.

Act 3: The Climax

After crashing the Capulet party, Tybalt goes after the Montague crew and kills Mercutio.
To avenge his friend, Romeo duels with and kills Tybalt - Juliet's cousin.
Romeo is banished, but before he goes he gives Juliet a proper wedding night!

Act 4: Falling Action

Juliet’s parents arrange a marriage for her to Paris.
She and the Friar have an elaborate plan to get her out of a second marriage by faking her death. Part of this plan is that Romeo will receive a letter saying she’s not dead.
Romeo - never having received the letter - thinks Juliet has died (see our article on dramatic irony).
Romeo buys poison and goes to her tomb to commit suicide.

Act 5: Denouement or Resolution

Romeo confronts Paris at Juliet’s tomb, and slays him before taking his own life.
Juliet awakens from her sleeping potion to see Romeo has committed suicide.
She takes his dagger and kills herself.
The Friar and Nurse explain to the Capulet and Montague families that the two lovers were married in secret.
Both families are saddened by the situation, and vow to end their long-standing feud.

As You Like It

As You Like It, a pastoral comedy by William Shakespeare, is an exemplary story type that follows the five-act structure.

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