Mae Lilibeth P.

Escoro ENG 4 – B5
BS MET E - V

SITA: THE RAMAYANA REVISITED

I. Plot
a. Introduction
The play started with the introduction of the main characters, or the character where
the story revolve, that is, the introduction of Sita and Rama, who were in exile
alongside with Lakshmana, Rama’s brother. The supporting characters were
introduced by showing their relation to the main characters, and also it was shown
which “side” they were in relative to the main characters.
b. Conflict
The conflict was introduced in the second part of the play, where Sita was abducted
by Ravana, the demon-king of Lanka. He disguised himself as a deer to enchant
Sita, while also luring away Rama’s brother, Lakshmana, and Hanuman, a monkey-
general loyal to Rama who were tasked to protect Sita. When Sita realized that she
was to be abducted she left her ring in order to let them know that she was abducted.
Another conflict was when Sita would not want to be rescued by Hanuman, because
she wants Rama himself to rescue her so to in some way honor him as her husband.
Hanuman went to Lanka to give her Rama’s ring, which Rama ordered Hanuman
to give her so she will know that he longs for her. He tried to persuade her to go
with him in order to save her to prevent the war from happening since there might
be a different outcome with going to war with the demon-king, but she refused and
stayed.
c. Rising Action

The third part of the play was the preparation of Rama and Ravana for war. Rama
decided to go to war with Ravana in order to rescue Sita while in turn, Ravana
learns of his plan and was preparing as well.

d. Climax

The climax of the play was when finally Rama and Ravana met, and the war
happened. Both sides were strong and both have strong allies, so there was no sure
winner, or no sure outcome from the war, whether Rama would succeed in rescuing
Sita, or would Ravana would get to keep Sita and stop Rama.

e. Falling Action
 Rama manages to kill Ravana, and while Ravana was lying on the ground, dead,
Sita wept for him even though she was held captive by him. Rama sees this as a
betrayal of Sita to him as his husband, and thought that he lost her heart to Ravana.

f. Resolution/Dénouement

Rama orders for Sita to burn in the fire for her betrayal. Sita was heartbroken when
Rama misunderstood her actions towards Ravana. She desolately followed Rama’s
order, and walked to the fire. She was burned and nothing was left of her, except
the ring given by Rama to her in their marriage, signifying that she remained loyal
to Rama as his wife all while in captivity by Ravana.

II. Theme
The theme of the play was love and faithfulness. Sita and Rama loved each other so much,
that Rama went to war with the demon-king Ravana to save Sita, and Sita kept her love for
Rama by being faithful to him, even when she was held captive for so long. Rama lost his
trust with Sita because of her actions when Ravana died and ordered for her to be burned.
III. Characters

a. Protagonist(s)

1.Rama – He is the hero of the story who will rescue Sita, his wife from the
demon-king Ravana. He was portrayed as one who loves and adores his
wife so much, that he will do anything for her.

2.Sita – another protagonist of the story who is the wife of Rama. The play
was centered on her, and her take of her love for Rama, and her perspective
when she was held captive by Ravana.

3.Hanuman – Monkey-general who has magical abilities. He was loyal to

Rama and Sita, and also protector of Sita. He commands an army of
monkeys under the King of the monkeys, Sugreeva.

4.Lakshmana – the brother of Rama, and also protector of Sita. He went in

exile along with them even though it was only Rama and Sita who was
ordered to be exiled from their kingdom by their father.

b. Antagonist(s)

1.Ravana – He is the only antagonist in the story. He is the demon-king of

Lanka who desired Sita, and abducted her. He tried to persuade her to his
 favor, but she refused and remained faithful to Rama, though he succeeded
in creating tension between Rama and Sita

IV. Music or Rhythm/Accompaniments

The music help in setting the mood of each scene. The audience were given a hint on the
coming war not just because of the title of the act, but the build-up of the tension created
by the music. When the characters sang their lines, the rhythm helps the audience
understand what the characters are feeling in order to give the same effect of those feelings
of the characters in the audience.

V. Spectacle (Setting)

The setting gives the audience hint on whether the characters were “good” or “bad” based
on the scenery and also with their outfit. The audience will know where that scene,
especially when Sita is in the scene, is taking place, whether she was alone, or in the
presence of the demon-king, or in his halls. The emphasis on the background for each scene
also helps in setting the mood, or the gravity of the mood, such as when Sita was burned,
and the scene shows fire “dancing” where the audience can really feel that she was being
burned.

VI. Genre

The genre of the story was tragedy. Both Sita and Rama loved each other, and tries to prove
to the other how much they love each other by remaining faithful in Sita’s perspective,
while in Rama’s perspective he braved to go to war with the demon-king. In the end, Rama
rejected Sita, thinking she was unfaithful to him, and ordered for her to be burned. He
finally knew that she remained faithful to him with the ring left behind when she was
burned, but it was too late for she was no longer alive for him to believe of her faithfulness.