Stakes

Definition

Stakes refer to the emotional and physical consequences that characters face in a story, driving their motivations and actions. The higher the stakes, the more invested both the characters and the audience become in the outcome of the situation. Understanding stakes is essential because they enhance the tension and urgency within a performance, making choices impactful and memorable.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Stakes can be classified as high, medium, or low, affecting how audiences perceive a character's journey and choices.
2. Characters with high personal stakes will often take risks that push their limits, leading to more dynamic performances.
3. The stakes can be external (such as life or death situations) or internal (like personal growth or emotional resolution), both crucial for character development.
4. Understanding the stakes in a scene helps actors make informed choices about how to portray their character's emotions and reactions.
5. High stakes not only increase audience engagement but also challenge characters to evolve, leading to richer storytelling.

Review Questions

• How do stakes influence character motivation and decisions in a performance?
  • Stakes greatly influence character motivation by providing a clear reason for why a character takes specific actions. When stakes are high, characters are often pushed to make difficult choices, showcasing their desires and fears. This tension not only makes their motivations clearer but also allows actors to explore deeper emotional nuances within their performances.
• In what ways do different types of stakes contribute to the overall tension in a narrative?
  • Different types of stakes contribute to overall tension by creating layers of conflict and urgency. External stakes might involve life-or-death situations that can escalate quickly, while internal stakes can relate to personal conflicts or moral dilemmas. When both types of stakes are present, they enhance the emotional weight of a scene and keep audiences on edge, eager to see how characters navigate these challenges.
• Evaluate how an actor can effectively communicate high stakes in a scene without explicitly stating them.
  • An actor can communicate high stakes through body language, facial expressions, and vocal inflections that convey urgency or desperation. Subtle cues, like a shaky voice or tense posture, can reveal the weight of the situation without needing explicit dialogue. Additionally, using pauses and pacing effectively can create suspense, allowing the audience to feel the emotional gravity of the stakes even when it's unspoken.

Related terms

Conflict:

The struggle between opposing forces, which creates tension in a narrative and is often driven by high stakes.

Motivation: The internal drives or reasons behind a character's actions, which are often influenced by the stakes involved.

Tension: The feeling of excitement or anxiety that arises from uncertainty about the outcome of events, often heightened by the stakes at play.