Anagnorisis is a literary term referring to a moment of recognition or revelation in a story. Storytellers use this literary device to reveal a character’s true identity or uncover the true nature of a narrative situation. Anagnorisis acts as a turning point in the plot of a story and often precedes a moment of [peripeteia](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/peripeteia-explained), meaning a sudden reversal of fortune.

The word “anagnorisis” is a translation of a Greek word meaning “recognition.” Aristotle was the first to use this term in his book on dramatic theory, *Poetics* (circa 330 BCE). Aristotle described anagnorisis as an essential element of a complex plot with a character transitioning from ignorance to knowledge. 

To learn more about how anagnorisis works in storytelling, explore some of these examples.

1. __*Oedipus Rex* by Sophocles (circa 429 BCE)__: In this ancient Greek tragedy, a moment of anagnorisis occurs when Oedipus discovers his true identity and learns that he unknowingly married his own mother.
2. __*Great Expectations* by Charles Dickens (1861)__: Dickens uses anagnorisis when the main character, Pip, discovers the true identity of his mysterious benefactor. 
3. __*Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back* (1980)__: Luke Skywalker experiences a moment of revelation when Darth Vadar reveals himself as Luke’s true father. 
4. __*The Winter’s Tale* by William Shakespeare (1611)__: Shakespeare employs anagnorisis when a shepherdess named Perdita discovers she is actually royalty. Shakespeare makes use of anagnorisis as a literary device in many of his plays, including *Othello* (1603) and *Macbeth* (1606).
5. __*The Sixth Sense* (1999)__: During M. Night Shyamalan’s horror film, child psychiatrist Malcolm Crowe experiences anagnorisis when he discovers that he is a ghost.

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Anagnorisis is a literary device that reveals the true nature of a character or situation. Learn more by exploring examples of anagnorisis in literature and film.


Anagnorisis is a literary device that reveals the true nature of a character or situation. Learn more by exploring examples of anagnorisis in literature and film.


Anagnorisis Definition: 5 Examples of Anagnorisis

Anagnorisis is a literary term referring to a moment of recognition or revelation in a story. Storytellers use this literary device to reveal a character’s true identity or uncover the true nature of a narrative situation. Anagnorisis acts as a turning point in the plot of a story and often precedes a moment of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/peripeteia-explained' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/peripeteia-explained","linkCopy":"peripeteia","category":null}'>peripeteia</a>, meaning a sudden reversal of fortune.

What Is Anagnorisis? 

The word “anagnorisis” is a translation of a Greek word meaning “recognition.” Aristotle was the first to use this term in his book on dramatic theory, Poetics (circa 330 BCE). Aristotle described anagnorisis as an essential element of a complex plot with a character transitioning from ignorance to knowledge.

Origins of Anagnorisis in Drama

To learn more about how anagnorisis works in storytelling, explore some of these examples.<ol class="mc-m-4"><li class="mc-my-4"> 1. Oedipus Rex by Sophocles (circa 429 BCE): In this ancient Greek tragedy, a moment of anagnorisis occurs when Oedipus discovers his true identity and learns that he unknowingly married his own mother. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 2. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens (1861): Dickens uses anagnorisis when the main character, Pip, discovers the true identity of his mysterious benefactor. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 3. Star Wars: Episode V – The Empire Strikes Back (1980): Luke Skywalker experiences a moment of revelation when Darth Vadar reveals himself as Luke’s true father. </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 4. The Winter’s Tale by William Shakespeare (1611): Shakespeare employs anagnorisis when a shepherdess named Perdita discovers she is actually royalty. Shakespeare makes use of anagnorisis as a literary device in many of his plays, including Othello (1603) and Macbeth (1606). </li><li class="mc-my-4"> 5. The Sixth Sense (1999): During M. Night Shyamalan’s horror film, child psychiatrist Malcolm Crowe experiences anagnorisis when he discovers that he is a ghost. </li></ol>

5 Examples of Anagnorisis in Literature and Film 

Become a better writer with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by the world’s best, including Salman Rushdie, Neil Gaiman, Walter Mosley, Margaret Atwood, Joyce Carol Oates, Dan Brown, and more.

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Anagnorisis is a literary device that reveals the true nature of a character or situation. Learn more by exploring examples of anagnorisis in literature and film.