When studying a character in dramatic literature, there are several vital questions that should be explored:
- What motivates the character?
- What strengths and weaknesses does the character possess?
- Does the character undergo a transformation? If so, in what way?
Act One: Dissatisfaction and Conflict
At the beginning of most plays, the protagonist feels a sense of dissatisfaction. This might be something minor or comical, such as Cornelius Hackl from Hello Dolly – the young man who has yet to kiss a girl.
Or, the level of dissatisfaction might be extreme, such as Hamlet’s potentially suicidal melancholy at the beginning of Shakespeare’s great tragedy.
There needs to be an emotional piece of the puzzle missing from the protagonist. This missing element will allow the main character to experience growth by the final act of the play.
After the protagonist's traits are established, then conflict storms into the storyline. Conflict forces characters to change, to react to new and challenging situations. Think of Dorothy in The Wizard of Oz. After the audience learns that Dorothy does not feel a strong sense of home and security, a tornado whisks her away to Oz -- a strange and frightening place that makes her appreciate Kansas!
Act Two: Escalation of Conflict
As the saying goes, "Out of the frying pan and into the fire!" To keep the attention of the audience, and to further the transformation of the protagonist, things must get worse before they get better. The conflict must intensify.
Examples:
- Nora Helmer in A Doll's House experiences increased pressure with each passing moment of Ibsen's drama.
- In Sophocles' Oedipus the King the conflict escalates as messengers continually delivery evidence to implicate the protagonist of a heinous crime.
The escalation of conflict is also known as "raising the stakes."
Act Three: Climax and Resolution
Eventually the protagonist reaches a "tipping point," a moment when a crucial decision must be made or a truth must be revealed. Most climactic moments in literature stem from choices of the protagonist:
- Romeo decides to drink the poison.
- Scrooge chooses to embrace Christmas.
- Danny Zuko gives up his Greaser ways to prove his love for Sandy.
Sometimes the climax and/or resolution is out of the protagonist's hands. Sometimes fate, or God, or luck steps in. This is known as deus ex machina, and it is usually a disappointing way to wrap up a story.
After the climax, the conflict fades and the resolution unfolds. Most main characters experience a valuable lesson at the play's end. Some protagonists transform in positive ways and refect upon what they have learned. (Think of Dorothy's last line, "There's no place like home!")
Some plays end with the protagonist feeling sadder but wiser, such as the introspective Tom Wingfield from The Glass Menagerie.
And of course some protagonists die at the end of the play. Some main characters end their lives by defiantly standing up for their ideals, such as John Proctor in The Crucible. Other protagonists die without learning a thing, but the audience gains a valuable lesson from their demise.
Tip for Essay Writing:
When writing an essay about a protagonist, begin by outlining the character arc. It will help you understand the main character's transformation throughout the play.
