catastasis

English

Etymology

From Ancient Greek κατάστασις (“settling, appointment”).

Pronunciation

• IPA: /kəˈtæstəsɪs/

Noun

catastasis (countable and uncountable; plural catastases)

1. In classical drama, the third and penultimate section, in which action is heightened for the catastrophe.

   • 1922, It doubles itself in the middle of his life, reflects itself in another, repeats itself, protasis, epitasis, catastasis, catastrophe. — James Joyce, Ulysses
   • 1965, ‘The object of the meta-theatre is precisely that – to allow the participants to see through their first roles in it. But that is only the catastasis.’ — John Fowles, The Magus

Related terms

• protasis
• epitasis
• catastrophe