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