classical unity

Any of the three rules for drama derived from Aristotle's Poetics: unity of action (a play should have one action that it follows, with minimal subplots), unity of time (the action should occur over a period of no more than 24 hours), and unity of place (a play should exist in a single physical space and should not attempt to compress geography, nor should the stage represent more than one place).

Noun

  1. Any of the three rules for drama derived from Aristotle's Poetics: unity of action (a play should have one action that it follows, with minimal subplots), unity of time (the action should occur over a period of no more than 24 hours), and unity of place (a play should exist in a single physical space and should not attempt to compress geography, nor should the stage represent more than one place).
    • Besides this almost classical unity of place, the closed circle also can, if the author desires, provide the classical unity of time; this occurs particularly when the detective is amateur, for the isolation frees him...

    Synonyms: Aristotelian unity dramatic unity

Forms

classical unities