ΠΛΟΚΗ
Plot, or complication, as the core of dramatic art, the arrangement of incidents that constitute a story. In Aristotle's 'Poetics', it is the most important element of tragedy, its 'soul', as action and passion depend on it. Its lexarithmos (208) suggests complexity and synthesis, the interaction of elements that create a coherent whole.
REPORT ERRORDefinition
According to the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon, πλοκή (πλοκή, ἡ) primarily signifies "a plaiting, weaving, intertwining." This refers to the literal act of creating a fabric or a net, where threads or strands intersect and connect to form a unified whole. This foundational meaning underscores the concept of interdependence and structure.
Over time, the word acquired metaphorical meanings, extending the idea of connection and interaction to abstract contexts. Thus, it began to denote "complication, entanglement, intrigue," describing situations where events or individuals become intertwined, creating difficulties or mysteries. This evolution is evident in texts that describe complex circumstances or machinations.
The most renowned and technical use of πλοκή is found in Aristotle's "Poetics," where it is defined as the "mythos," i.e., the arrangement of incidents, the composition of events in a drama. For Aristotle, the plot is the most crucial element of tragedy, its "soul," as it is from the plot that the imitation of action, the arousal of fear and pity, and ultimately catharsis, derive. The effectiveness of a work is judged by the quality of its plot, meaning the organic connection of its parts.
In summary, πλοκή evolved from a description of a physical process into a central term for understanding the structure and dynamics of both reality and art. Its significance lies in its ability to describe the interdependence of elements that compose a whole, whether it be a physical object, a social situation, or a literary work.
Etymology
Numerous words in the Greek language are derived from the root plek-, retaining the original meaning of "to weave" in various forms. The verb πλέκω is the primary form, while nouns such as πλέγμα (the result of weaving), πλόκος (a plaited object, e.g., a lock of hair), and πλέξις (the act of weaving) develop the concept of plaiting and composition. Additionally, compound verbs like συμπλέκω (to intertwine, to engage in combat) and derivatives such as ἐμπλοκή (the state of entanglement) extend the meaning to complexity and interaction.
Main Meanings
- Plaiting, weaving — The literal act of connecting threads or other materials to create a fabric or a net. (Plato, 'Republic' 369d)
- Plaited object, net — The result of plaiting, such as a net, a basket, or a braid of hair. (Homer, 'Odyssey' 5.256)
- Entanglement, complication, intrigue — Metaphorical use for a situation where events or persons become intertwined, creating difficulty or mystery. (Thucydides, 'History of the Peloponnesian War' 1.132)
- Plot of a drama, fable — The arrangement of incidents in a literary work, especially in tragedy, as defined by Aristotle. (Aristotle, 'Poetics' 1450a)
- Complex sentence, period — In rhetoric, the connection of multiple clauses into a complex structure. (Dionysius of Halicarnassus, 'On Literary Composition')
- Close combat, engagement — A military term for the intertwining of forces in close contact. (Polybius, 'Histories' 1.34)
Word Family
plek- (root of the verb πλέκω, meaning "to intertwine, to weave")
The Ancient Greek root plek- is fundamental to understanding the concept of connection and complexity. From the literal act of "plekein"—that is, connecting threads to create a fabric or a net—its meaning metaphorically expanded to describe the interdependence of events, persons, or ideas. Each member of this word family develops an aspect of this basic idea, from simple physical connection to the intricate structure of a narrative work.
Philosophical Journey
The word πλοκή, with its original meaning of weaving, has a long history in the Greek language, but its evolution into a technical term of dramatic theory is one of the most interesting aspects of its journey.
In Ancient Texts
The central position of plot in ancient Greek thought, especially in the theory of drama, is highlighted by the following passages:
Lexarithmic Analysis
The lexarithmos of the word ΠΛΟΚΗ is 208, from the sum of its letter values:
208 decomposes into 200 (hundreds) + 8 (units).
The 18 Methods
Applying the 18 traditional lexarithmic methods to the word ΠΛΟΚΗ:
| Method | Result | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Isopsephy | 208 | Base lexarithmos |
| Decade Numerology | 1 | 2+0+8 = 10 → 1+0 = 1 — Unity, the beginning, the primary element from which all things originate, just as the plot is the beginning and unity of a work. |
| Letter Count | 5 | 5 letters (Π, Λ, Ο, Κ, Η) — Pentad, the number of life, of man, of harmony and balance, signifying the organic nature of the plot. |
| Cumulative | 8/0/200 | Units 8 · Tens 0 · Hundreds 200 |
| Odd/Even | Even | Feminine force |
| Left/Right Hand | Right | Divine (≥100) |
| Quotient | — | Comparative method |
| Notarikon | P-L-O-K-E | Panta Logika Orizei Kathe Ethos (interpretive: Plot, as a logical arrangement, defines the ethical dimension of characters and events). |
| Grammatical Groups | 2V · 1S · 2M | 2 vowels (O, H), 1 semivowel (L), 2 mutes (P, K). This balance suggests the structural harmony of the word. |
| Palindromes | No | |
| Onomancy | — | Comparative |
| Sphere of Democritus | — | Divination with lunar day |
| Zodiacal Isopsephy | Jupiter ♃ / Leo ♌ | 208 mod 7 = 5 · 208 mod 12 = 4 |
Isopsephic Words (208)
Words from the Liddell-Scott-Jones Lexicon with the same lexarithmos (208) as πλοκή, but from different roots, offering interesting comparisons:
The LSJ lexicon contains a total of 24 words with lexarithmos 208. For the full catalog and AI semantic filtering, see the interactive tool.
Sources & Bibliography
- Liddell, H. G., Scott, R., Jones, H. S. — A Greek-English Lexicon. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1940.
- Aristotle — Poetics. Translated by S. H. Butcher. New York: Dover Publications, 2005.
- Plato — Republic. Translated by G. M. A. Grube, revised by C. D. C. Reeve. Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing Company, 1992.
- Thucydides — History of the Peloponnesian War. Translated by Rex Warner. Harmondsworth: Penguin Books, 1972.
- Dionysius of Halicarnassus — On Literary Composition. Edited by W. Rhys Roberts. London: Macmillan, 1910.
- Polybius — The Histories. Translated by W. R. Paton. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1922-1927.