1. Character vs. Character: This is the most common type of conflict, where two or more characters have opposing goals or desires. For example, in the play "Romeo and Juliet," the conflict is between the two families, the Montagues and Capulets, who have a long-standing feud.
2. Character vs. Society: This occurs when a character struggles against the expectations or values of the society they live in. For instance, in the play "The Crucible," Abigail Williams confronts the strict religious beliefs and social norms of her Puritan community.
3. Character vs. Nature: This type of conflict involves a character's struggle against natural elements or forces. A prominent example is the play "Robinson Crusoe," where the protagonist must survive on a desert island after being shipwrecked.
4. Character vs. Fate or Divine Power: This conflict occurs when a character grapples with the idea of fate or the intervention of a higher power in their lives. In the play "Oedipus Rex," Oedipus struggles against his destiny, trying to escape the prophecy that he will kill his father and marry his mother.
5. Character vs. Self: This is an internal conflict, where a character struggles with their own thoughts, emotions, or moral dilemmas. An example of this is the play "Hamlet," where Hamlet faces existential questions and battles his inneren Dämonen.
6. Social or Political Conflicts: These conflicts involve broader societal or political issues, such as class differences, political power struggles, or discrimination. In the play "Les Misérables," the conflict revolves around the struggle for social justice and the clash between the wealthy elites and the impoverished lower class.
7. Cultural Conflicts: In some dramas, the conflict arises from clashes between different cultures, customs, or beliefs. For instance, the play "Fiddler on the Roof" explores the conflicts and tensions within a Jewish community as they face modernization and changing societal norms.
The main conflict is often supported by secondary or minor conflicts that further complicate and escalate the central plot. These conflicts create a dynamic and engaging story, driving the characters' development and interactions.