Anagnorisis: Definition and Examples

An anagnorisis , derived from the Greek word "anagnōrisis" (meaning "recognition"), is a pivotal moment in a story's plot, typically involving the protagonist, where a significant shift occurs from ignorance to awareness. This moment of insight may pertain to the character's own identity, their relationship with others, or a critical aspect of the story's narrative. Anagnorisis often serves as a turning point in a literary work, leading to the resolution of key conflicts and character development. Anagnorisis and Aristotle Aristotle, the ancient Greek philosopher, introduced and discussed the concept of anagnorisis in his seminal work, Poetics . He defined anagnorisis as a fundamental change in a literary work from ignorance to knowledge, a transformation that could lead to the development of love or hatred between characters who are destined for either good or bad fortune. Typically occurring at a narrative turning point, anagnorisis is often followed by a…