Climax

Definition

In literature, Encyclopaedia Britannica defines climax as: "the point at which the highest level of interest and emotional response is achieved." ("Climax").
"In the structure of a play the climax, or crisis, is the decisive moment, or turning point, at which the rising action of the play is reversed to falling action. It may or may not coincide with the highest point of interest in the drama." ("Climax").

Examples

An example of a climax in literature can be found in John Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men, where "the climax of the novella is when Lennie kills Curley’s wife. This is the highest point of emotional intensity in the story and leads to resolution of George making a decision regarding his dear friend." ("What is Climax? Definition, Examples of Climax of a Story").

Another notable example of climax can be seen in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet where "the story reaches its climax in Act 3. In the first scene of the act, Romeo challenges Tybalt to a duel after he (Tybalt) killed Mercutio" and after Romeo kills Tybalt, the audience is left wondering how can possibly Romeo get out of this predicament, since he has just killed his wife's cousin ("Examples of Climax in Literature").

Sources

"Climax". Encyclopedia Britannica. Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia.  11 Feb. 2016, https://www.britannica.com/art/climax-literature. Accessed 7 October 2023.

"What is Climax? Definition, Examples of Climax of a Story". Writing Explained. https://writingexplained.org/grammar-dictionary/climax. Accessed 7 October 2023.

“Examples of Climax in Literature”. LiteraryDevices.net, LiteraryDevices Editors. 2013. https://literarydevices.net/climax/. Accessed 7 October 2023.

Andrea Poláčková, 510559