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The Thirty-seven Dramatic Situations 1-6
| 1. SUPPLICATION (To humbly petition). Elements: a persecutor, a humble petitioner, and a power in authority whose decision is doubtful. |
| A1 Fugitives imploring the powerful for help against their enemies.
A2 Assistance implored for the performance of a pious duty which has been forbidden.
A3 Appeals for refuge in which to die. |
B1 Hospitality besought by the shipwrecked.
B2 Charity entreated by those cast off by their own people, whom they have disgraced.
B3 Expiation: the seeking of pardon, healing or deliverance.
B4 The surrender of a corpse, or relic, solicited. |
C1 Supplication of the powerful for those dear to the suppliant.
C2 Supplication to a relative in behalf of another relative.
C3 Supplication to a mother's lover, in her behalf. |
| 2. DELIVERANCE. Elements: an unfortunate, a threatener, a rescuer. |
| A Appearance of a rescuer to the condemned. |
B1 A parent replaced on the throne by his children.
B2 Rescue by friends, or by strangers grateful for benefits or hospitality. |
| 3. CRIME PUNISHED BY VENGEANCE. Elements: an avenger and a criminal. |
| A1 The avenging of a slain parent or ancestor.
A2 The avenging of a slain child or descendant.
A3 Vengeance for a child dishonored.
A4 The avenging of a slain wife or husband.
A5 Vengeance for the dishonor, or the attempted dishonoring, of a wife.
A6 Vengeance for a mistress slain.
A7 Vengeance for a slain or injured friend.
A8 Vengeance for a sister seduced. |
B1 Vengeance for intentional injury or spoilation.
B2 Vengeance for having been dispoiled during absence.
B3 Revenge for an attempted slaying.
B4 Revenge for a false accusation.
B5 Vengeance for violation.
B6 Vengeance for having been robbed of one's own.
B7 Revenge upon a whole sex for a deception by one. |
C Professional pursuit of criminals. |
| 4. VENGEANCE TAKEN FOR KINDRED UPON KINDRED. Elements: Avenging kinsman, guilty kinsman, remembrance of the victim, a relative of both. |
| A1 A father's death avenged upon a mother.
A2 A mother avenged upon a father. |
B A brother's death avenged upon a son. |
C A father's death avenged upon a husband. |
D A husband's death avenged upon a father. |
| 5. PURSUIT. Elements: Punishment and fugitive. |
| A Fugitives from justice pursued for brigandage, political offenses, etc. |
B Pursued for a fault of love. |
C A hero struggling against a power. |
D A pseudo-madman struggling against an Iago-like alienist.
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| 6. DISASTER. Elements: A vanquished power, a victorious enemy or a messenger. |
| A1 Defeat suffered.
A2 A fatherland destroyed.
A3 The fall of humanity.
A4 A natural catastrophe. |
B A monarch overthrown. |
C1 Ingratitude suffered.
C2 The suffering of unjust punishment or enmity.
C3 An outrage suffered. |
D1 Abandonment by a lover or a husband.
D2 Children lost by their parents. |
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