Plot Structure - Mix n Match Activity

Freytag’s Categories	Definition	Example fromTwelfth Night
Exposition	The audience is provided with the background information needed to properly understand the story. We are introduced to the protagonist, other main characters, the problem or cause of the basic conflict, and the setting. We learn how the characters relate to one another, what their goals and motivations are, and the kind of people they are.	We know the play is set in Illyria and we are introduced to the characters of the main plot, as well as the characters of the subplot, Sir Toby, Maria, Sir Andrew and Malvolio. We learn about their personalities and how they are related or connected to each other through dialogue in each scene of this act. Viola's disguise as Cesario also initiates the love triangle, for Viola falls in love with the Duke at first sight, while the Duke is in love with Olivia. Olivia is initially attracted to, then eventually, falls in love with Cesario/Viola – this is the cause of the basic conflict or problem.
Rising Action	This phase starts with the introduction of conflict. All of the major characters have been introduced; their motives and allegiances have been made clear. Generally, in this phase the characters understand their goals and begin to work toward them.Action gradually escalates; smaller problems preventing initial success are overcome, so at the end of this phase and at the beginning of the next the characters are finally ready to face their major challenges.	This act presents the rapid mounting action of the main plot with Sebastian Viola's twin brother travelling to Duke Orsino’s court. The audience now waits for the complications that will arise because Sebastian is still alive and because Viola is disguised, they both look alike. Olivia declares her love for Cesario/Viola indirectly by asking Malvolio to go after Cesario/Viola and give back the ring he/she supposedly left behind. Sir Toby Belch, Maria, and Sir Andrew devise a way to teach the conceited, Puritannical Malvolio a lesson. This action of the subplot rapidly rises as Malvolio finds and reads the letter (whilst the others watch from the ‘box-tree’) and gullibly believes the letter is from Olivia and is willing to follow the instructions set out to show his love for his lady.
Climax	This phase is the turning point of the story, where the main character makes the single big decision that defines the outcome of their story and who they are as a person. The beginning of this phase is marked by the protagonist finally having cleared away the preliminary barriers and being ready to face what is preventing them from reaching their ultimate goal. From this struggle, a pivotal decision is made.	Olivia, now passionately in love with Cesario/Viola is willing to tell Cesario/Viola about it. The opportunity arises when Viola visits her again on behalf of the Duke. Olivia's open declaration of love for Cesario/Viola marks the turning point of the plot. This act also contains the turning point of the subplot with a totally changed Malvolio in scene 4. His conversation with Olivia is at cross-purposes, as he keeps alluding to the letter and Olivia has no idea what he is referring to and she asks Maria and Sir Toby to look after him.
Falling Action	During this phase the loose ends are being tied up. However, it is often the time of greatest overall tension in the play, because it is the phase in which everything goes most wrong. In this phase, the villain has the upper hand. It seems that evil will triumph. In some ways, the protagonist has never been further from accomplishing the goal. For Freytag, this is true both in tragedies and comedies, because both of these types of play classically show good winning over evil.	Following the Olivia’s love declaration to Viola/Cesario, matters will slowly begin to move in the direction of resolving the complications arising as a result of Viola's disguise. The first of these situations is when Viola is mistaken for Sebastian by Antonio. The audience, who waited for such complications to arise, can now enjoy the humour of the situation. The main plot is gradually moving towards a final resolution of the complications. Malvolio is locked up in the dark room and Sir Toby loses interest in the intrigue after being rebuked by Olivia. It is left to Feste, who after teasing him for some time, promises to help him out of his predicament. Olivia marries Sebastian in this act mistaking him for Cesario/Viola. The plot thus moves closer to the resolution of the complications.
Resolution	In this phase there is a final confrontation between the main characters, where one or the other decisively wins. This phase is the story of that confrontation, of what leads up to it, of why it happens the way it happens, what it means, and what its long-term consequences are.	This act serves as a conclusion for the main plot as well as the subplot. Although it consists of just one scene, the scene is long, the action fast paced, without any omissions or superfluous details to detract the audience. The revelation of Viola's real identity resolves the complications present throughout the play in the main plot. In keeping with the idea that "Twelfth Night" is a romantic comedy, Viola, who has always loved the Duke, will now marry him. The Duke and Olivia are quite willing to shift their affections to Viola and Sebastian. The main plot concludes on a happy note. The subplot too draws to its logical end, as Malvolio is released from the dark room (although he leaves the stage stating he will take out revenge on all of them), and Fabian provides Olivia with the details of the practical joke played against Malvolio.