CLIMAX

Definition of Climax

When used as a literary term, a climax in a story occurs when there is a turning point from which there is
no going back. The climax is the point of highest tension in a narrative.

In a tragedy, the climax will generally reveal the protagonists greatest weaknesses, and the situation
will go irreparably wrong. In a comedy, events will have been bad for the protagonist up until the climax,
which will usually reveal the protagonists inner strength, thus leading to a happy ending.

The word climax comes from the Greek word klimax, which means a staircase or a ladder. It is
interesting to consider the etymology of the word alongside the current definition of climax. Whereas a
staircase or ladder implies upward movement, the climax of a work of literature is the very peak of
tension, to which all the action is building and from which the conclusion comes down.

Common Examples of Climax

While the literary usage of climax applies generally only to works of drama, we can also understand
climax as related to common jokes. The punch line of a joke could be considered the climax. The only
difference is that there is no conclusion after this climax, unlike in works of literature. Here are some
examples of climax in short jokes:

Q: What did the duck say when he bought lipstick?

A: Put it on my bill.

Q: Why does Humpty Dumpty love autumn?

A: Because Humpty Dumpty had a great fall.

Q: What do you call a pig that does karate?

A: A pork chop.

Freytags Pyramid
In 1863, the German writer Gustav Freytag described five stages of dramatic tension: exposition, rising
action, climax, falling action, and dnouement. He illustrated this concept with a diagram of a pyramid,
as shown below:

Freytags Pyramid

Freytags analysis is generally called the dramatic arc of a story. Here is a brief description of each stage:

ExpositionExposition introduces the audience to the story by giving information about the setting,
characters, and a general sense of the upcoming story.

Rising ActionRising action takes up the largest section of most works of literature. Rising action is
comprised of many important events that lead up to the climax. These events present conflicts and
challenges for the protagonist to deal with.

ClimaxThe climax, as explained above, is the point of highest tension. All of the events in the story
have been leading to this moment and after the climax nothing can be the same for the characters in the
story.

Falling ActionFalling action may contain some final moment of suspense. Usually, falling action takes
up only a short amount of space in the work of literature.

DenouementIn this final aspect of a work of literature the main conflict is resolved, whether for better
or for worse. The conclusion to the story occurs in this part.

Note that Freytags analysis applies to classical drama, whereas not all modern drama contains each of
these five parts, or perhaps contains more than one climax.

Significance of Climax in Literature

The climax is a very important part of each work of literature. All literature must contain conflict, and in
order to resolve this conflict there must be some moment or event that decides the fates of the
characters involved. Without a climax in a work of a literature, the audience would be frustrated to have
invested so much time and attention without a payoff. The climax may be an event that the reader is
waiting fora battle that must come, or an inevitable meeting between the protagonist and antagonist.
However, the climax also may be an unexpected turn of events after which nothing remains the same.
Examples of Climax in Literature

Example #1

IAGO:My friend is dead,

Tis done at your request. But let her live.

OTHELLO: Damn her, lewd minx! Oh, damn her, damn her!

Come, go with me apart. I will withdraw

To furnish me with some swift means of death

For the fair devil. Now art thou my lieutenant.

(Othello by William Shakespeare)

There is some debate over the climax in Shakespeares tragedy Othello. Some argue that the real climax
of the play occurs when Othello murders his wife Desdemona due to jealousy. And, indeed, theres no
going back from this action. Only after Othello murders Desdemona does he realize her innocence, and
of course theres nothing he can do. However, the above excerpt is the psychological climax of the play.
Iago has subtly convinced Othello of Desdemonas infidelity, and here Othello swears to kill her. Nothing
after this point will convince him otherwise.

Example #2

JOHN PROCTOR: I have known her, sir. I have known her.

JOHN PROCTOR: She thinks to dance with me on my wifes grave! And well she might, for I thought of
her softly. God help me, I lusted, and there is a promise in such sweat. But it is a whores vengeance, and
you must see it; I set myself entirely in your hands. I know you must see it now.

(The Crucible by Arthur Miller)

In this climax example, John Proctor admits to the court in Salem that he has committed adultery with
Abigail Williams. Abigail has been the main accuser of women in the Salem witch-hunt, and has just
accused John Proctors wife. He sees no way to save his wife but the shameful truth. After this moment
in the play, the court can either believe John, thus discrediting Abigail and all her accusations, or accuse
him of perjury. No matter which decision the court came to, nothing could be the same for John after his
confession.

Example #3

LAURA: You wont call again?

JIM: No, Laura, I cant. As I was just explaining, Ive got strings on me. Laura, Ive been going steady! I go
out all of the time with a girl named Betty. Shes a home-girl like you, and Catholic, and Irish, and in a
great many ways we get along fine. I met her last summer on a moonlight boat trip up the river to Alton,
on the Majestic. Well right away from the start it was love!

(The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams)

There are three main characters in Tennessee Williamss The Glass MenagerieTom, his sister Laura,
and his mother Amanda. All three characters have slightly separated climaxes. However, this is the main
example of climax, in which Lauras gentleman caller Jim admits that he already has a girlfriend (a
fianc, in fact, as we find out later). Jims status as engaged affects the rest of the family. Laura is
optimistic up until this point, after which she loses all hope and, subsequently, so does her mother. Tom
cannot stand to be around them after they lose hope, so he leaves the family forever. This climax leads
to the downfall of the whole family.

Example #4

Voldemort had raised his wand. His head was still tiled to one side, like a curious child, wondering what
would happen if he proceeded. Harry looked back into the red eyes, and wanted it to happen now,
quickly, while he could still stand, before he lost control, before he betrayed fear

He saw the mouth move and a flash of green light, and everything was gone.

(Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling)

In the Harry Potter series there are many examples of climax, as each book contains its own challenges
and conflicts. However, the entire seven-book series has been leading up to the moment in which Harry
either lives or dies. At the very end of the final book, Harry confronts the villain, Voldemort, who
attempts to kill him. Whether Voldemort is successful or not determines the conclusion of the entire
series.

Test Your Knowledge of Climax

1. Which of the following statements is the best climax definition?

A. The point of highest tension in a story.

B. The conclusion of a work of literature in which the conflict is resolved.

C. The introduction of characters, setting, and conflict in a narrative.

Answer to Question #1 Show

2. What is the difference between a climax in a tragedy and a comedy?

A. There is no difference.

B. In a tragedy, the protagonists strengths are revealed in the climax, whereas in a comedy the
protagonists failings become obvious.

C. In a tragedy, the protagonists inner weaknesses lead to his or her downfall, where in a comedy the
protagonist must draw on inner strengths to change the events of the story for the better.

Answer to Question #2 Show

3. Which of the following is not a part of Gustav Freytags pyramid?

A. Exposition

B. Setting

C. Climax

Answer to Question #3 Show