The Five act structure, made famous by Shakespeare, expands the classical overlay of the three act structure developed by the Roman, Aelius Donatus. Like the three act structure, the five act structure definitively set which acts would perform specific actions. Although Arthur Miller’s The Crucible is a four act play, it follows the structure of a 5 act tragedy which has an exposition, rising action, climax, falling, action, and resolution.
The exposition is the first part of the play according the to five act structure and sets the play. It is used to introduce characters and setting. The Exposition is also used to address conflicts that will occur later on in the play. The Crucible's first act does this with the introduction of Reverend Parris, Abigail, Putnam, Tituba, and are shown in Salem Massachusetts in 1692. It also introduces the conflict of hysteria in the towns people brought on by the wide belief of ensuing witchcraft in their quaint village. Parris reinforces this when he says, "Thomas, Thomas, I pray you, leap not to witchcraft. I know that you-you least of all, Thomas, would ever wish so disastrous a charge laid upon me. We cannot leap to witchcraft."
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The falling action will have a calmer tone than the climax and rising action, but will lead into and start the resolution. The falling action will also be the opposite of the rising action, and any unknown details being revealed to the audience. The Crucible's falling action occurs when John Proctor attempts to confess to witchcraft at the beginning of the fourth act. John takes the advice of Reverend Hale and his wife, but ultimately refuses that his signature be portrayed in the church. Reverend Hale tries to reduce tension when he says, "Life, woman, life is God’s most precious gift; no principle, however glorious, may justify the taking of it. I beg you, women, prevail upon your husband to confess. Let him give this