Metamorphoses (play) - Plot Analysis

Plot Analysis

By definition, plot can be referred to as the deliberate selection and arrangement of the incidents and actions that are outlined by the playwright. When Metamorphoses is analyzed it is important to realize that the plot is not a conventional arrangement and must be looked at instead from a non-linear point of view.

A linear dramatic action may be set as with the following steps: 1. A state of equilibrium 2. An inciting incident 3. Point of attack of the major dramatic question 4. Rising action 5. Climax 6. Resolution 7. New state of equilibrium. These set of events are described as being of a well-made play and follow a linear set of actions. First one event, then the next and the following one after that and so on and so forth. Metamorphoses does not follow this laid out set of steps and no single analysis can make it follow this formula. However each of the separate stories embedded within the play is in itself a "well-made play" within a play. Each story can be easily followed and analyzed through a look at the seven parts already established. An example that can easily demonstrate and lay out the structure is the story of Erysichthon described within Metamorphoses.

The seven elements of this story can be seen as follows:

• State of Equilibrium - Erysichthon has no regard for the gods and does as he wishes with no fear of punishment
• Inciting Incident - Erysichthon tears down a tree that is beloved by the god, Ceres
• Point of Attack of the MDQ (Major Dramatic Question) - Will Ceres avenge her beloved tree and teach a valuable lesson about the power of the gods to Erysichthon?
• Rising Action - Ceres sends a servant to look for Hunger, Ceres' servant finds Hunger, Hunger embodies itself into Erysichthon, Erysichthon gorges on food
• Climax - Erysichthon's hunger is so insatiable that he sells his own mother to a trader for money to buy more food
• Resolution - Finally, Erysichthon can no longer find any more food to eat and curb his hunger so Ceres approaches him with a tray that holds a fork and a knife, Erysichthon sits down and actually destroys himself
• New State of Equilibrium - Erysichthon is no more and people are no longer left to wonder or question the power of the gods

Each of the stories told within Metamorphoses can be analyzed in this fashion and it is even worth noting the story of King Midas. His dramatic action can be followed over the entire length of the play for we are introduced to his story in the beginning and are not subjected to the resolution of his story until the end of the play and his story is actually the last one addressed in the play.