Adelphiasoplot
Vengeance for a Crime: Georg Polti Plots or Storylines - The 36 Dramatic or Tragic Situations
Abstract
Wise Women Discuss—Plot!
Vengeance for a Crime
Vengence for an injustice has always seemed noble. The individual capable of executing a legitimate though illegal injustice provides a satisfying story. Even two millenia of Christianity following 500 years of Socratic philosophy have not reduced its attraction nor replaced it by pardon. And even pardon is a sort of revenge, even when sincere (perhaps more so) placing the onus of guilt on the criminal while getting brownie points with St Peter. In this situation is introduced The Villain. Though this situation is popular there is much still to explore: the bonds which unite avenger and victim, their social and business ties. The list of wrongs has not been exhausted—the different kinds of offences against people and property, the different shades of opinion that can lead to disagreement, the different ways an insult can take effect, the extent and quality of relationships between avenger and criminal.
To these we might add all the turns and bearings, slow or instantaneous, direct or tortuous, frantic or sure, which punishment can take, the thousand resources which it offers, the points at which it might aim in its deadly course, the obstacles which chance or the defendant might present.
And again the secondary characters each pursuing their own aims, intercrossing with each other and crossing the drama.
Elements
- An avenger
- A criminal
Themes
- Avenging a crime on a loved one
- …a slain parent or ancestor
- …a slain child or descendant
- …a child dishonored
- …a slain wife or husband
- …a wife dishonored or tainted by a dishonorable attempt
- …a mistress slain
- …a slain or injured friend
- …a sister seduced
- Avenging a crime upon oneself
- …for intentional injury or spoliation The Tempest, Shakespeare
- …for having been despoiled during absence
- …for an attempted slaying
- …for a false accusation
- …for violation
- …for having been robbed of one’s own The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare
- … for a deception by one, revenge on a whole sex
- Professional pursuit of criminals
