What does act mean in a play?

An act is a major division of a play or other work of drama. Acts are typically used to divide the story into different sections, such as the exposition, rising action, climax, and falling action. The number of acts in a play can vary, but most plays have between two and five acts.

Each act in a play typically has its own setting, characters, and events. The setting of an act can change from one location to another, and the characters who appear in an act may not all appear in other acts. The events in an act typically build on the events in previous acts and lead to the climax of the play.

Acts can also be used to create a sense of suspense or anticipation in the audience. For example, the end of an act may leave the audience with a cliffhanger, which makes them eager to see what happens next. Acts can also be used to create a sense of resolution or catharsis, as the characters in the play work through their conflicts and come to terms with their fates.