- Dramatistic Pentad
The "Dramatistic Pentad" is a method of explaining motivations developed by renowned literary critic
Kenneth Burke .Overview
"Dramatistic Pentad" recommends the use of a
metalinguistic approach to literature that investigates the roles and uses of fiverhetoric al elements common to all narratives, each of which is related to a question. This approach is related to Burke's theory ofdramatism .By evaluating which of the five elements is given emphasis over the others, Burke argues, a
critic , reader, or (in the case of a television series or a motion picture) viewer, can determine which element can best be understood as providing the motive for the character--usually theprotagonist --treated in the literary work.A character's stressing of one element over the others suggests his or her world view.
Rhetorical elements
The dramatistic pentad comprises the five rhetorical elements:
Act
Act, which is associated with dramatic action verbs and answers the question "what?" or "whom?", is related to the world view of realism.1. Act: What happened? What is the action? What is going on? What action; what thoughts?
cene
Scene, which is associated with the setting of an act and answers the questions "when?" and "where?", is related to the world view of
determinism and minimal or non-existent free will.Agent
Agent, which is associated with the agent and answers the question "what?" or "whom?", reflects the world view of
philosophical idealism .Agency
Agency, which is associated with the person or the organization that committed the deed and answers the question "how?", implies a pragmatic point of view.
Purpose
Purpose , which is associated with meaning and answers the question "why?", indicates that the character seeks unity through identification with an ultimate meaning of life.
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
