A list of 36 categories proposed by Georges Polti in 1895 to classify all possible dramatic situations in stories and performances.
Overview
The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations
The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations is a classification system for story structures published by French writer and critic Georges Polti in his 1895 book. Polti analyzed classical Greek literature and contemporary French works, categorizing all fundamental dramatic situations found in stories into 36 types. This classification builds upon the earlier work of Italian playwright Carlo Gozzi and continues to be widely used as a tool to assist screenwriters, novelists, storytellers, and other creative professionals.
story structure
dramaturgy
creative writing
narratology
Georges Polti
| code | slug | name | description |
|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | supplication | Supplication | A situation where a suppliant appeals to a power in authority for deliverance from a persecutor. |
| 02 | deliverance | Deliverance | A situation where an unfortunate person is saved by a rescuer from a threatener. |
| 03 | crime-pursued-by-vengeance | Crime Pursued by Vengeance | A situation where an avenger seeks private justice against a criminal whose crime will not see official justice. |
| 04 | vengeance-taken-for-kin-upon-kin | Vengeance Taken for Kin upon Kin | A situation where a kinsman avenges wrongdoing committed against another relative by a guilty kinsman. |
| 05 | pursuit | Pursuit | A situation where a fugitive flees punishment for a misunderstood conflict. |
| 06 | disaster | Disaster | A situation where a vanquished power falls from their place after being defeated by a victorious enemy. |
| 07 | falling-prey-to-cruelty-or-misfortune | Falling Prey to Cruelty or Misfortune | A situation where an unfortunate person suffers from misfortune or at the hands of a cruel master. |
| 08 | revolt | Revolt | A situation where a conspirator plots against a cruel tyrant. |
| 09 | daring-enterprise | Daring Enterprise | A situation where a bold leader takes an object from an adversary by overpowering them. |
| 10 | abduction | Abduction | A situation where an abductor takes the abducted from a guardian. |
| 11 | the-enigma | The Enigma | A situation where an interrogator poses a problem to a seeker, giving them ability to reach their goals. |
| 12 | obtaining | Obtaining | A situation where a solicitor seeks to obtain something from an adversary, or an arbitrator decides between opposing parties. |
| 13 | enmity-of-kin | Enmity of Kin | A situation where a malevolent kinsman and a hated kinsman conspire together. |
| 14 | rivalry-of-kin | Rivalry of Kin | A situation where the object of rivalry chooses the preferred kinsman over the rejected kinsman. |
| 15 | murderous-adultery | Murderous Adultery | A situation where two adulterers conspire to kill the betrayed spouse. |
| 16 | madness | Madness | A situation where a madman goes insane and wrongs the victim. |
| 17 | fatal-imprudence | Fatal Imprudence | A situation where the imprudent person, by neglect or ignorance, loses something or wrongs the victim. |
| 18 | involuntary-crimes-of-love | Involuntary Crimes of Love | A situation where a lover and beloved unknowingly break a taboo through their relationship, which is then revealed. |
| 19 | slaying-of-kin-unrecognized | Slaying of Kin Unrecognized | A situation where the slayer kills an unrecognized victim who is actually a kinsman. |
| 20 | self-sacrifice-for-an-ideal | Self-Sacrifice for an Ideal | A situation where a hero sacrifices a person or thing for their ideal. |
| 21 | self-sacrifice-for-kin | Self-Sacrifice for Kin | A situation where a hero sacrifices a person or thing for their kinsman. |
| 22 | all-sacrificed-for-passion | All Sacrificed for Passion | A situation where a lover sacrifices everything for the object of their passion. |
| 23 | necessity-of-sacrificing-loved-ones | Necessity of Sacrificing Loved Ones | A situation where a hero wrongs a beloved victim because of the necessity for their sacrifice. |
| 24 | rivalry-of-superior-vs-inferior | Rivalry of Superior vs. Inferior | A situation where an inferior rival bests a superior rival and wins the object of rivalry. |
| 25 | adultery | Adultery | A situation where two adulterers conspire against the deceived spouse. |
| 26 | crimes-of-love | Crimes of Love | A situation where a lover and the beloved break a taboo by initiating a romantic relationship. |
| 27 | discovery-of-the-dishonour-of-a-loved-one | Discovery of the Dishonour of a Loved One | A situation where a discoverer discovers the wrongdoing committed by the guilty one. |
| 28 | obstacles-to-love | Obstacles to Love | A situation where two lovers face an obstacle together. |
| 29 | an-enemy-loved | An Enemy Loved | A situation where a lover and hater have diametrically opposed attitudes towards the beloved enemy. |
| 30 | ambition | Ambition | A situation where an ambitious person seeks a coveted thing and is opposed by an adversary. |
| 31 | conflict-with-a-god | Conflict with a God | A situation where a mortal and an immortal enter into conflict. |
| 32 | mistaken-jealousy | Mistaken Jealousy | A situation where a jealous person falls victim to a mistake and becomes jealous based on false information. |
| 33 | erroneous-judgment | Erroneous Judgment | A situation where a mistaken person passes judgment against the victim of the mistake instead of the guilty one. |
| 34 | remorse | Remorse | A situation where a culprit wrongs a victim or commits a sin and is at odds with an interrogator. |
| 35 | recovery-of-a-lost-one | Recovery of a Lost One | A situation where a seeker finds the one who was lost. |
| 36 | loss-of-loved-ones | Loss of Loved Ones | A situation where the killing of a kinsman by an executioner is witnessed by another kinsman. |