Supplication

Disciplines > Storytelling > Plots > Polti's Situations > Supplication

Description | Discussion | See also

Next: Deliverance

Description

Elements

• Persecutor
• Supplicant
• Power in Authority whose decision is doubtful

Summary

The Supplicant is chased, harmed or otherwise threatened by the Persecutor and begs for help from the Power in Authority.

Variants

A

1. fugitives imploring the powerful for help against their enemies
2. assistance implored for the performance of a pious duty which has been forbidden
3. appeals for a refuge in which to die

B

1. hospitality besought by the shipwrecked
2. charity entreated by those cast off by their own people, whom they have disgraced
3. expiation, the seeking of pardon, healing or deliverance
4. the surrender of a corpse, or of a relic, solicited

C

1. supplication of the powerful for those dear to the suppliant
2. supplication to a relative in behalf of another relative
3. supplication to a mother's lover, in her behalf

Discussion

'Supplication' is begging, humbly asking for something that someone else has and you do not have. There fact that you cannot just take it, whether through an imbalance of power or moral codes means the throwing yourself on the charity of the person who can help is the only option.

The position of the shady Persecutor is not very clear, who may be chasing or having harmed the Supplicant. This does add desperation, however, to the Supplicant's position, adding to the sympathy that we will offer (and perhaps removing any disgust at begging).

It can also offer another story strand that beggars, having humbled themselves to the lowest position can become very vengeful if they are rejected.

This situation echoes the child begging its parent for something and thus tugs at very early strings. The situation of having to beg is, in itself, very humbling and we thus may feel sorry for the protagonist.

'Supplication' is the 1st of Georges Polti's 36 Dramatic Situations.

See also