TSV
The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations - TSV
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.