Falling Action

Definition

Falling action is the part of a story that occurs after the climax, where the plot begins to wind down and loose ends are tied up. It connects the rising action and the resolution, showcasing the consequences of the climax while leading the audience towards closure. This phase allows characters to reflect on their actions, resolve conflicts, and begin to move towards a new status quo.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Shakespearean comedy, falling action often involves comedic misunderstandings and reconciliations among characters, which help resolve conflicts in a light-hearted way.
2. The falling action is crucial in highlighting character growth and transformation, as characters reflect on their experiences after the climax.
3. Shakespeare frequently employs dramatic irony during falling action, allowing the audience to see the implications of characters' actions even as they themselves may be unaware.
4. In poetic language, the falling action may utilize lyrical elements to convey emotions and resolutions, enhancing the thematic depth of the narrative.
5. The falling action can also introduce subplots that connect back to the main storyline, enriching the overall narrative structure and tying together various character arcs.

Review Questions

• How does falling action contribute to character development in Shakespearean comedy?
  • Falling action plays a significant role in character development by allowing characters to reflect on their choices made during the climax. In Shakespearean comedies, this phase often showcases comedic reconciliations and moments of clarity where characters gain insight into their relationships. As they confront the consequences of their actions, they experience growth and transformation that are essential for leading into the resolution.
• Discuss how Shakespeare uses falling action to create dramatic irony within his plays.
  • Shakespeare effectively employs falling action to create dramatic irony by allowing audiences to understand the repercussions of events that characters may not fully grasp. For example, as characters navigate misunderstandings or conflicts during this phase, viewers are often aware of truths that characters are oblivious to. This tension enhances engagement and adds layers of complexity to character interactions as they approach resolution.
• Analyze how the structure of falling action impacts the overall thematic message in a Shakespearean play.
  • The structure of falling action significantly impacts thematic messages by weaving together various character arcs and subplots that lead toward resolution. In Shakespeare's works, this phase often emphasizes themes such as love, forgiveness, or redemption through light-hearted resolutions or reconciliations among characters. By tying together loose ends in a way that reflects on moral lessons or societal norms, falling action reinforces the broader themes within the play while providing a satisfying conclusion for the audience.

Related terms

Climax: The point in a narrative where tension and conflict reach their highest point, resulting in a turning point for the characters.

Resolution: The part of the narrative where conflicts are resolved, and the story concludes, providing closure to the audience.

Rising Action: The series of events that create suspense and tension leading up to the climax, establishing conflicts and character development.