What literary term refers to a sudden change in circumstances, particularly in tragedy?

The term that refers to a sudden change in circumstances, especially within the context of tragedy, is indeed "peripeteia." In literature, peripeteia denotes a pivotal moment when a situation dramatically shifts, often leading to the protagonist’s downfall or a significant turning point in the narrative. This concept is crucial in classical tragedy, where such shifts reveal the fragility of human fate and can elicit pity and fear from the audience. It emphasizes the unpredictable nature of life and how quickly fortunes can change, a hallmark of tragic storytelling.

In contrast, hamartia refers to a tragic flaw or error that leads to the downfall of a character, while hubris involves excessive pride or self-confidence that often precipitates the character's tragic fate. The narrative arc describes the overall structure of a story, including the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution, but does not specifically focus on the moment of sudden change. Understanding peripeteia helps readers appreciate the dynamics of plot development and the emotional impact of tragic literature.