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English 11 Macbeth: Plot Structure of Shakespearean Tragedies and Character List
Plot Structure of Shakespearean Tragedies:
All of Shakespeare’s tragedies consist of Five Acts with each act being divided into Seven Scenes.
In addition to this Five-Act, Seven-Element structure, Shakespeare’s tragedies follow the same basic plot structure:
Act I: Introduction, Initiating Incident, and Rising Action
Act II: Rising Action
Act III: Rising Action, Climax, and Falling Action
Act IV: Falling Action
Act V: Moment of Final Suspense and Catastrophe
· Introduction: the general atmosphere, time and place, main character, and the opening conditions of the play.
· Initiating Incident: the event or action that starts the conflict and action of the play.
· Rising Action: this series of events leading to the climax, covering more than one act. During the rising action the hero of the play, the protagonist, is the active force, trying to make things work out as he or she intends.
· Climax: the highest point of action in the play; at this point there is always a change in the protagonist, who from this point forward seems to be following a downward path; things begin to go against the protagonist at this point.
· Falling Action: the series of events following the climax that also covers several scenes; most of the events start to go against the protagonist and in favour of the antagonist; the conflict between protagonist and antagonist becomes the essence of the play.
· Moment of Final Suspense: close to the end of the play, usually found in the fifth act; has a particular function in the organization of the plot it is the moment when things look like they will go the way of the protagonist after all; the protagonist momentarily believes that tragedy will be averted.
· Catastrophe: this happens at the end of the play; it is the total and complete downfall of the protagonist, either through death or another devastating circumstance.
Main Characters:
Character: / Description: / Act: / Scene:Three witches / prophecy / I / i
Duncan / King of Scotland / I / ii
Malcolm / Older brother of Duncan / I / ii
Ross (Thane of Ross) / Scottish nobleman / I / ii
Macbeth / Thane[1] of Glamis/captain in King’s army / I / iii
Banquo / Nobleman, captain, friend of Macbeth / I / iii
Lady Macbeth / Macbeth’s wife / I / v
Fleance / son of Banquo / II / i
Macduff / Scottish nobleman / II / iii
Donalbain / younger son of Duncan / II / iii
Lennox / Scottish nobleman / II / iii
Murderers / killed Duncan / III / i
Hecate / Queen of the witches / IV / i
Lady Macduff / wife of Macduff / IV / ii
Old Siward / Macduff’s father / V / iv
Young Siward / Macduff’s brother / V / viii
Relationships Between Main Characters:
Duncan, King of Scotland
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Malcolm Donalbain
Macbeth, Thane of Glamis Banquo, nobleman, friend of Macbeth, captain
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Lady Macbeth (wife) Fleance (son)
Old Siward (Scottish nobleman)
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______
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Young Siward (son) Macduff (son)
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Lady Macduff (wife) ----- Ross (her cousin)
[1] Thane= a lord