What is the Denouement?

The denouement is the resolution of the play or story. Typically, everything that unfold's after the climax of the play is the denouement.

Interestingly, I often think of the denouement as the part of the play in which all the "loose ends" are tied up. For example, supporting characters resolve their conflicts, little mysteries are explained, and the main characters reflect on their life.

However, the French term "denouement" actually means "untying." So, one can also think of a denouement as when the complicated "plotlines" become untangled.

Impress your theater friends at cast parties: Find out how to pronounce "denouement."

Explore more theater terms in the Plays / Drama Glossary.