1. Shakespeare Plot Structure
Tragedy

2. Act One: Exposition Characters and setting are introduced.
Audience begins to understand the basic situation of the story and the relationships the characters have with each other.

3. Act Two: Rising Action The Conflict is introduced.
Complications arise that make the conflict more and more difficult to resolve.

4. Act Three: Turning Point
The main characters make a decision that becomes “the point of no return”. Once such a decision is made, the characters can never go back.
The turning point may or may not also be considered the climax of the story.

5. Act IV: Falling Action
Once the fatal turning point occurs, events play themselves out leading to the tragic ending.

6. Act V: Resolution
The conflict is resolved with tragedy, leaving a lesson for the audience to take with them.