Plot (narrative)

Action refers to the causal relationship of a featured event history in literature, theater, film, comics, computer game to a certain end. By the events of history are not isolated but shown in their mutual conditionality, this causal relation is the act or the plot of a story. - An alternative definition provides Jürgen Link, alleging action is a system of text features or characters on a configuration ( narrative theory ) based and can be arranged on a time axis.

Synonym, partly in special function or area of ​​expertise, leadership fable, plot or scenario ( scenario ) are used.

  • 3.1 distinction based on content or genre
  • 3.2 distinction after the construction
  • 3.3 distinction based on the importance
  • 3.4 distinction according to the type
  • 3.5 distinction based on the presentation and reception manner

The classical theory of the action, according to Aristotle

Takes the classical determination of action par excellence Aristotle 's Poetics (in which "action" alternately as " weave ", " fable " or " myth " is - but is always meant the event history or its factual context ).

Beginning - middle - end

The main feature of the plot is for Aristotle, that it has a beginning, middle and end. A beginning was, " what is not itself necessarily follows on something else, but after naturally occurring or something else arises "; Was middle, " which itself follows both on something other than pulling something else by itself"; an end was, " what even naturally follows something else, namely necessarily or usually (ie most likely), while after him enters nothing else more." Accordingly likely actions if they are to be well put together, " not re-position or at any point end," but would have to adhere to the above principles.

Simple and complicated plot

Aristotle further distinguishes between "simple " and " complex " plot. While the simple act an anticipated end eventually occurs, surprised a complicated plot with a different ending than the first were promised. It runs in a first connection chain that abruptly required in another, usually an opposite end implicative, skips. What was meant to propose at once ( denouement ) in the opposite of what it was set in motion (not achieved eg more rescue, but sinking ) and knocks the bottom out of the original conception of the presented conditions and their ramifications. All assumptions made must be re-evaluated to reflect the new direction of action: the enemy becomes a friend, aversion, which were thought to feel, to love, timidity turns out to be boldness, etc.

Fortunately turnaround

Has the strongest effect this change, according to Aristotle the audience if, instead of an expected happiness now a disaster occurs; the reverse direction is possible, even common, only ( says Aristotle ) less effective. The sympathy of the audience grows, the more similar it is affected by the happiness reversal person, because you people who you think is worse than himself, the evil begrudge, and those whose situation is believed to be enviable than his own, not reluctantly fall looks; until the overthrow of a similar person doing really concerned because this fate seems even for a self- excluded.

Abstraction

Aristotle holds a story (ie a running action ) for " something more philosophical and more serious " than playing really at some point things happened because they are " more the General " would tell fact descriptions ", however, the special ". It is an act to check well-formedness, hence " sketch first in general and then work out only scenic and full length develop," analogous to the example set by Aristotle himself based on the Odyssey, "Someone bored many years in a foreign land, is constantly monitored by Poseidon and is all alone; at his home, it is so that Free devour his property and readjust his son. He returns to severe distress and adopt some individuals to recognize; he falls over his enemies forth itself remains intact and destroyed the enemy. "

Action vs.. material

A measure is in contrast to the substance or the subject of a presentation real time; their guaranteed end implies narrative tension is therefore a property of action, never the issue.

See also the distinction and similar meaning of histoire - discours, fabula - sujet.

Basic forms of action

Distinction based on content or genre

  • Romance: two people are meant for each other. However, they are held by extraordinary obstacles apart. The fact that they have to come to each other or remain forever joyless, one feels from the outset as a matter of course.
  • Adventure: A hero takes before an action and executes it against resistance.
  • Determination: uncovering the circumstances, reasons and Creator of a puzzling fact.
  • Hunting: Someone is constantly persecuted for something he has done or should have done.
  • Recognition: Intricate relationships and relationships are revealed.
  • Schauer: space, time and people turn around in unfamiliar and horror -inspiring. The course of action is a sequence of strong effects by material and equipment. See weird fiction and horror romantic.

Distinction after the construction

  • The events take place in rising action until the denouement.
  • The events take place in the falling action to the disaster.
  • It is tectonic action before construction, a closed, symmetric action with the so-called Aristotelian units of time, place and action, as well as the focus on a central conflict, typical of the drama or the novel.
  • There is atektonischer plot structure or open form.

Distinction based on the importance

  • Main story
  • Subplot

Distinction according to the type

  • External action = Everything that is done and seen in a story.
  • Internal action = Everything persons in a situation think
  • Feel
  • See
  • Palpate,
  • Smell,
  • Taste,
  • Hear and
  • Say.

What is going on in a person is often caused by facial expressions, gestures and posture visible to the outside (see also Non-verbal communication). Linguistically expressed to the inner action by adjectives, verbs, vivid word choice and comparisons as well as direct and / or indirect speech.

Distinction based on the presentation and reception manner

  • Direct action on the stage as a visible action
  • Covert action, such as spatially hidden action that will be presented only by messengers report and Mauerschau, or
  • Spatial and temporal covert action that has passed, but during the action period has occurred (eg between different scenes or files )
Poetics (Aristotle) Dark romanticism Novella Simile Scene (drama) Anthology film
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