Internal conflict

Definition

Internal conflict refers to the psychological struggle within a character, where opposing emotions, desires, or beliefs collide. This type of conflict often drives the character's development and decisions, impacting their relationships and interactions with others. Internal conflicts add depth to the narrative, making characters more relatable and their journeys more compelling.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Internal conflict is essential for character development, as it reveals the complexities of human emotions and motivations.
2. This type of conflict can manifest in various forms, such as doubt, guilt, fear, or moral dilemmas that characters face throughout the story.
3. Actors must tap into internal conflict to portray authentic emotions, making their performances more relatable and impactful.
4. Understanding a character's internal conflict helps in building relationships on stage, as it influences how they interact with other characters.
5. Internal conflict can serve as a catalyst for external actions, propelling the plot forward as characters navigate their inner turmoil.

Review Questions

• How does internal conflict enhance a character's development in a performance?
  • Internal conflict enhances a character's development by showcasing their struggles and vulnerabilities, allowing audiences to connect with them on a deeper level. As characters confront their inner battles, they evolve and change, revealing layers of complexity that make them relatable. This growth is often mirrored in their relationships with others, showcasing how their internal conflicts influence external interactions.
• In what ways does an actor utilize internal conflict to build tension in relationships on stage?
  • An actor utilizes internal conflict to build tension in relationships on stage by embodying the emotional struggles that characters face. When characters are torn between desires or beliefs, this tension can manifest in body language, vocal inflections, and facial expressions. By effectively portraying these inner battles, actors create an engaging dynamic that captivates the audience and heightens the stakes of the scene.
• Evaluate how understanding a character's internal conflict can impact the overall narrative structure of a play.
  • Understanding a character's internal conflict significantly impacts the overall narrative structure of a play by driving both plot progression and thematic depth. Characters’ decisions based on their internal struggles shape key events and relationships throughout the story. Moreover, as these conflicts unfold and resolve, they contribute to the overarching themes of the play, enriching the audience's experience and fostering greater emotional engagement with the narrative.

Related terms

Character Motivation: The reasons behind a character's actions and decisions, often shaped by their internal conflicts and desires.

Dramatic Irony: A situation where the audience knows more about a character’s internal struggle than the character themselves, creating tension.

Subtext: The underlying meaning or theme that is not explicitly stated, often revealed through a character’s internal conflict.