Peripeteia

Pronunciation: /ˌperəpəˈtiːə/

Definitions of peripeteia

noun a sudden or unexpected reversal of circumstances or situation, especially in a literary work

Example Sentences

A1 The sudden peripeteia in the story took the characters by surprise.

A2 The peripeteia in the plot changed the course of events dramatically.

B1 The novel's peripeteia added an unexpected twist to the storyline.

B2 The peripeteia in the movie kept the audience on the edge of their seats.

C1 The playwright masterfully crafted the peripeteia to create a powerful climax.

C2 The peripeteia in the play revealed the true nature of the protagonist's character.

Examples of peripeteia in a Sentence

formal The play reached its climax with a sudden peripeteia that changed the course of the story.

informal The movie had a crazy plot twist that was a total peripeteia!

slang Dude, did you see that peripeteia in the show? Mind blown!

figurative Just when I thought everything was going smoothly, life threw a peripeteia my way.

Grammatical Forms of peripeteia

• past tense: peripeteiaed
• plural: peripeteias
• comparative: more peripeteia
• superlative: most peripeteia
• present tense: peripeteia
• future tense: will peripeteia
• perfect tense: have peripeteiaed
• continuous tense: is peripeteiaing
• singular: peripeteia
• positive degree: peripeteia
• infinitive: to peripeteia
• gerund: peripeteiaing
• participle: peripeteiaed

Origin and Evolution of peripeteia

First Known Use: 1601 year

Language of Origin: Ancient Greek

Story behind the word: The word 'peripeteia' originated from ancient Greek drama, specifically from Aristotle's 'Poetics' where it refers to a sudden reversal of fortune or change in circumstances for the protagonist.

Evolution of the word: Over time, 'peripeteia' has come to be used more broadly in literature and storytelling to describe any sudden and unexpected turn of events that dramatically changes the course of a narrative.