Peripeteia
conceptPeripeteia was the sudden reversal of circumstances in tragedy — the moment when everything changes, which Aristotle identified as essential to great drama.
The Myth
Aristotle described peripeteia as the pivot point of a well-constructed plot — the moment when the hero's fortune reverses from good to bad (or, in some cases, bad to good). In Oedipus Rex, the messenger from Corinth arrives to bring good news (Oedipus's "father" is dead) but actually triggers the catastrophe (revealing Oedipus's true parentage). The best peripeteia, Aristotle argued, coincides with anagnorisis (recognition), creating maximum emotional impact.
Symbols
Fun Fact
Every twist ending in cinema descends from Aristotle's concept of peripeteia — the sudden reversal that recontextualises everything before it.
Words We Inherited
English words and phrases that trace back to this myth:
Explore Further
Corinth
placeCorinth was a wealthy trading city on the narrow isthmus connecting mainland Greece to the...
Oedipus
heroThe tragic king of Thebes who unknowingly killed his father and married his mother, fulfilling a...
Aegis
conceptThe aegis was a divine shield or breastplate belonging to Zeus and wielded by Athena, fringed with...
Aidos
conceptAidos was the Greek concept of shame, reverence, and the inner sense of propriety that restrained...
Ajax (Shield)
conceptAjax's shield was a massive tower shield of seven ox-hides layered with bronze — the largest...
Amazonomachy
conceptThe Amazonomachy was the legendary battle between the Athenians and the Amazons who invaded Athens...