What is Freytag's Pyramid?

What is Freytag's Pyramid?

Freytag's Pyramid is a model of dramatic structure that outlines the typical stages of a story. It's named after Gustav Freytag, a 19th-century German novelist and playwright, who analyzed classic dramas and identified this common pattern.

Here are the five key elements of Freytag's Pyramid:

1. Exposition:
   • Sets the scene.
   • Introduces the main characters, setting, and the central conflict or problem.
2. Rising Action:
   • The tension builds as the characters encounter obstacles and complications.
   • The stakes increase, drawing the audience further into the story.
3. Climax:
   • The peak of tension and the turning point of the story.
   • It often involves a major confrontation, decision, or a significant turning point.
4. Falling Action:
   • The consequences of the climax unfold.
   • Tension starts to decrease, but there might still be unresolved issues.
5. Denouement (Resolution):
   • The story concludes.
   • Conflicts get resolved, questions are answered, and the audience gets a sense of closure.

Why is it shaped like a pyramid? It's to illustrate the rising and falling tension within a story. It builds towards a peak (the climax) and then gradually resolves.

Freytag's Pyramid Examples

Countless classic and contemporary films and TV shows utilize Freytag's Pyramid. Here are a few examples:

• Star Wars: A New Hope
  • Exposition: We meet Luke Skywalker, a restless farm boy in a galaxy dominated by an evil Empire.
  • Rising Action: Luke joins Obi-Wan Kenobi and sets off to rescue Princess Leia, facing increasing danger.
  • Climax: The epic battle against the Death Star.
  • Falling Action: The destruction of the Death Star and the heroes are celebrated.
  • Denouement: Though there's a victory, the larger war with the Empire continues.
• Thelma and Louise
  • Exposition: Two women are dissatisfied with their mundane lives.
  • Rising Action: Their road trip takes a tragic turn, escalating into a run from the law.
  • Climax: The iconic final drive off a cliff, choosing freedom over capture.
  • Falling Action: We only witness the car hurtling into the canyon.
  • Denouement: The film leaves their fate ambiguous, highlighting their rebellion.
• Finding Nemo
  • Exposition: We meet Marlin, a clownfish, and his son Nemo in their peaceful ocean home. Marlin's overprotective nature foreshadows conflict.
  • Rising Action: Nemo is captured by divers, and Marlin embarks on a desperate search across the ocean, encountering dangers along the way.
  • Climax: Marlin reunites with Nemo inside the dentist's fish tank.
  • Falling Action: Nemo and the other fish escape the tank and return to the ocean.
  • Denouement: Marlin and Nemo are reunited, and Marlin has learned to trust his son more.

• Exposition: Walter White, a high school chemistry teacher, is diagnosed with cancer and becomes desperate to secure his family's financial future.
• Rising Action: Walt partners with a former student, Jesse, to cook and sell meth. He becomes increasingly embroiled in the dangerous world of the drug trade.
• Climax: Several season climaxes exist throughout the series. One notable one is the face-off between Walt and Gus Fring, a powerful drug lord.
• Falling Action: The consequences of Walt's choices unfold. Relationships crumble, violence escalates, and the DEA closes in.
• Denouement: The series concludes with a violent showdown where Walt sacrifices himself to protect Jesse and provide for his family.

TV Comedy:

The Office (US)

• Exposition: Introduces the mundane world of Dunder Mifflin paper company and its quirky employees, like Michael Scott, Dwight Schrute, and Jim Halpert.
• Rising Action: Office pranks, awkward romances, and Michael's cringe-worthy management style create comedic conflict.
• Climax: Often smaller climaxes in individual episodes (e.g., the epic fire drill chaos, the disastrous dinner party). A major climax for the series is Jim and Pam's wedding.
• Falling Action: The aftermath of the comedic climaxes provide further humor and resolution.
• Denouement: The series finale offers closure, showing where the characters end up, providing a mix of humor and sentimentality.

• Exposition: Various noble families in the realm of Westeros vie for power amidst hints of supernatural threats.
• Rising Action: Multiple storylines filled with political intrigue, betrayals, alliances, and wars build up tension.
• Climax: Several major climaxes mark the show, such as the Red Wedding, the Battle of the Bastards, and the destruction of King's Landing.
• Falling Action: The aftermath of each climax reshapes the power dynamics and reveals the consequences of choices made.
• Denouement: The controversial final season ties up storylines and determines the fate of Westeros, offering mixed closure for dedicated viewers.

How Writers Use Freytag's Pyramid

Freytag's Pyramid provides writers with a valuable framework for developing stories that have a clear sense of direction, engaging conflicts, and emotionally satisfying resolutions.

Here's a few more detailed thigns writers can use it to accomplish:

Structural Foundation

• Overall Pacing: Understanding the stages of the pyramid helps create a sense of natural build-up and release of tension. It prevents stories from feeling rushed or meandering.
• Turning Points: The pyramid provides a roadmap for identifying where major shifts in the plot should occur. This could be the inciting incident that kicks off the rising action, or the decisive moment of the climax.
• Subplots: Even if a story has multiple threads, each can have its own mini-arc that aligns with the overall structure, creating a cohesive whole.

Character Development

• Character Arcs: The challenges faced in the rising action, the climax's turning point, and the consequences in the falling action fuel a character's growth and transformation.
• Audience Connection: Watching characters navigate the different stages of the pyramid creates empathy and emotional investment for the audience. The struggles and triumphs become more relatable.

Plot Development

• Obstacles and Stakes: The rising action demands progressively greater challenges for the characters. This raises the stakes and makes the climax feel earned.
• Introducing Complications: The pyramid helps determine when to bring in new information, surprise twists, or additional conflicts that propel the story forward.
• Foreshadowing and Payoff: Early hints or setups in the exposition and rising action can later pay off in satisfying ways during the climax or resolution.

Important Considerations

• Not a Rule: Freytag's Pyramid is a tool, not a rigid rule. Successful stories often experiment with deviations or variations.
• Genre Awareness: The pyramid's usefulness may vary depending on genre. Thrillers might lean more heavily on the buildup towards a climactic revelation, while comedies might have multiple smaller climaxes throughout.