Conflict

Definition

Conflict refers to the struggle between opposing forces that drives the narrative in a story, creating tension and propelling character development. In Terentian plays, conflict often emerges from personal desires versus societal expectations, leading to complex character interactions and psychological depth. This interplay of desires reveals the intricacies of human emotions and relationships, making conflict a crucial element in understanding characters and their journeys.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. In Terentian plays, conflict is often rooted in misunderstandings or societal pressures that challenge characters' desires and identities.
2. Conflict can be both external, such as clashes between characters, and internal, involving characters grappling with their own beliefs and desires.
3. The resolution of conflict in Terentian plays often involves comedic elements, where misunderstandings are cleared up, leading to character growth.
4. The psychological aspects of conflict in these plays allow for a deeper exploration of themes such as love, identity, and social status.
5. Character interactions fueled by conflict provide insight into human nature, making Terence's works relatable across time and cultures.

Review Questions

• How does conflict drive character development in Terentian plays?
  • Conflict serves as a catalyst for character development in Terentian plays by forcing characters to confront their desires and motivations. As characters navigate external conflicts with others and internal struggles within themselves, they experience growth and transformation. This dynamic creates an engaging narrative that allows audiences to understand the complexities of human behavior and relationships.
• In what ways do external conflicts differ from internal conflicts in Terentian plays, and how do they affect character interactions?
  • External conflicts in Terentian plays typically arise from clashes between characters, often influenced by societal expectations or misunderstandings. Internal conflicts, on the other hand, involve a character's struggle with their own beliefs and desires. Both types of conflict significantly shape character interactions; external conflicts can create tension and humor among characters, while internal conflicts provide deeper insight into their motivations and emotional states.
• Evaluate how Terence uses conflict to comment on social norms and human psychology in his plays.
  • Terence cleverly employs conflict not only to entertain but also to critique social norms and delve into human psychology. By presenting characters in situations where their personal desires clash with societal expectations, he highlights the absurdities of those norms. This approach encourages audiences to reflect on their own lives and societal structures while revealing the universal struggles of love, identity, and morality inherent in the human experience.

Related terms

Dramatic Irony:

A situation where the audience knows more about the characters' circumstances than the characters themselves, heightening the tension and emotional stakes within a conflict.

Character Arc: The transformation or inner journey of a character over the course of a story, often shaped by the conflicts they face and how they resolve them.

Motivation: The driving force behind a character's actions and decisions, which can often lead to conflicts when different characters have opposing motivations.