What term describes the obstacles or resistance encountered in a play?

The term that describes the obstacles or resistance encountered in a play is "complications." In the context of dramatic structure, complications refer to the events or conflicts that arise, creating challenges for the characters and driving the narrative forward. These complications heighten tension and engage the audience by introducing conflicts that must be resolved as the story progresses.

This term captures the essence of conflict in storytelling, as it encompasses the various hurdles that characters must navigate, whether they are interpersonal struggles, overarching societal issues, or internal dilemmas. Understanding complications is crucial for analyzing character development and plot progression, as they often serve as catalysts for character growth and thematic exploration within the play.

While "segments," "crux," and "super-objective" may have their roles in the analysis of theatre, they do not specifically address the concept of obstacles or resistance encountered within the narrative framework. Segments refer more to parts or divisions within the play, crux relates to a pivotal point or a key moment of tension, and super-objective pertains to the overarching goal or desire of a character. None of these terms encapsulate the same sense of conflict and hindrance as complications do.