Story Shapes, Plot.pdf

this familiar shape: a protagonist has a problem they leave their familiar world they go on a journey they find the thing they’re looking for they take it back the consequences of taking it pursue them they overcome the consequences and solve their

in every story a protagonist battles an antagonist in pursuit of a goal,

there are seven basic plots running through human history: overcoming the monster (think Beowulf or Jaws); rags to riches; the quest; voyage and return; comedy; tragedy; and rebirth. The Irish playwright Denis Johnston identified eight: unrecognised virtue; fatal flaw; debt that must be paid; love triangle; spider and the fly; boy meets girl plus o