I love Greek theatre. And it really helps me when I’m writing novels. It helps me create character, action, contrast, tension. It’s a really big deal for me in all my books, whatever the genre.

So here we go for some cool elements of Greek Theatre for you to incorporate into your next novel. Or you might spot them in mine.

The Protagonist. Who is your hero or heroine? I mean, essentially, who are they? Why do we want to follow their story? What do we admire about them, or invest in their journey? We need to make them so central to everything we write. And make them real, but fascinating.

Hamartia.  The hero or heroine needs a tragic flaw, or error in judgment, or past fallibility. They’re not perfect. The hero’s hamartia is a key element in their downfall, combined with fate and external forces. It’s fun to play around with this one…

Peripeteia.  In a Greek tragedy, peripeteia is a sudden reversal of fortune from good to bad. The main character will need at least one of these. Sometimes there’s one in each chapter, if you’re writing cozy crime. Or romance.

Pathos refers to the pity and sorrow the reader experiences for the suffering of the protagonist when they go through tough times. We need to care when they suffer. Suffer with them. Empathise.

Anagnorisis. This is the moment of discovery when the hero or heroine understands a hidden truth about themselves or their situation. A moment of realisation. This pivotal event usually occurs as a turning point in the plot.

Catharsis. In literature and art, catharsis is a purification of emotions, a purgation. Pity and fear, experienced by the character and the reader through the story, results in a feeling of emotional renewal and restoration. Or a release from suffering.

Chorus. The chorus in theatre is a collective voice or commentary on the scene they appear in. They provide necessary insight into action. In novels we create a cast of characters who support the protagonist’s journey by showing things about them, not by telling.

Climax. The climax of any novel or play is a moment of highest tension, often marked by a significant anagnorisis or discovery, or peripeteia, the reversal of fortune that leads to a dramatic change in the characters’ circumstances. This turning point creates an emotional peak, driving the story toward its resolution and often culminating in a catharsis of sorts for the reader and the main character. Writing the climax of a novel should be a moment of creative passion for the writer.

I always have the elements of Greek theatre in my head when writing novels. It drives the action forward and creates a map or graph of where to go next, a logical journey. I love all the highs and lows of writing drama.

I hope you’ve found this useful. Let me know

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