Freytag's Pyramid

When you defined our specialized terms for this unit, you came across the idea of a plot pyramid, or Freytag's pyramid. This pyramid contains the following components:

  • exposition,
  • rising action,
  • climax,
  • falling action, and
  • resolution (or denouement).

 

  • The exposition contains the setting and an introduction of the characters.
  • Rising Action is all the little conflicts or bumps in the road of the story.
  • The climax is made up of the moment of greatest tension or uncertainty of the play or work of literature. It is also known as the crisis.

Freytag's Pyramid
Act I (exposition), Act II (rising action), Act III (climax), Act IV (falling action), Act V (denouement)

 

  • Falling Action is made up of the spiraling out of control for the protagonist(s). They have realized that they have done something wrong and are now suffering the consequences.
  • The resolution is the tying up of loose ends. The moral may be restated so that the audience can go away, having learned a lesson. Denouement is French, literally meaning, the end.

 

Shakespeare and the Pyramid

Shakespeare's plays all contain FIVE acts. Here is how they correspond to the Freytag pyramid.
Act I = exposition
Act II = rising action
Act III = climax
Act IV = falling action
Act V = resolution

 

Example: The Wizard of Oz

The Freytag Pyramid can apply to plays, movies, short stories, and almost any other piece of literature that you can think of.

For example, let us think about the Freytag Pyramid and try to apply the formula to The Wizard of Oz.

What is the first thing that happens?

 

Exposition - Dorothy is introduced. We find that she lives in Kansas with her Auntie Em and Uncle Henry. Dorothy is bored and wants more adventure in her life.

Then, the storm...

 

Rising Action - Accompanied by others who desire something, she goes on a quest. On her quest, she is at odds with the Wicked Witch of the West.

When they meet for the last time...

 

Climax - Dorothy melts the Wicked Witch and takes her broomstick, which she needs to gain favor with Oz.

 

Falling Action - When Oz cannot help her, Dorothy is told by Glenda, the Good Witch, how to go home.

 

Resolution - Dorothy awakens in her bed and is thankful to be there, with her family. There is, indeed, "no place like home."

Think of the Freytag's Pyramid as a way to help you organize your thoughts about a text.

 

Act III

Read Act III, which holds the climax of the play. Remember, the climax is made up of the moment of greatest tension or uncertainty of the play or work of literature. It is also known as the crisis. Be prepared to explain the things that represent the climax, or the moment of greatest tension or uncertainty in the play, as represented in this act. You may listen to Act III as well.