In Greek Theatre, the emotional release experienced by a character and therefore the audience through a character’s critical discoveries, journey, or downfall. In contemporary use, it reflects the emotional release of a character who vents or explodes emotionally at another character as a result of an irrational build-up of stress or anxiety. The audience, like in Greek Theatre, shares this ‘venting’ and may empathise with the behaviour and its irrational release.

See Narrative.