From  the  moment  of  exciting  force  up  to  the  turning-
point  of  the  narrative  extends  the  main  course  of  the
rising  action,  sometimes  technically  known  as  the
heightening. The  hero  now  shows  a  steady  increase  in
power,  a  constant  growth  toward  the  attainment  of  his
goal. The  collision  between  the  play  and  the  counter-
play  becomes  increasingly  violent. If  the  narrative  be
principally  one  of  action,  the  threads  become  increasingly
complicated ;  if  of  character,  the  personality  of  the
hero  is  more  clearly  expounded,  and  is  brought  into  in-
creasing conflict  with  external  forces. This  phase  is  a
period  of  vigorous  action,  rapid  movement,  and  definite
progress  toward  the  climax. All  this  is  well  exemplified
in  the  course  of  the  Old  Testament  narrative  under  con-
sideration. The  heightening  passes  through  five  stages,
or  scenes,  with  their  respective  secondary  episodes:
(1)  Haman,  filled  with  wrath  against  Mordecai,  plots
vengeance  in  the  wholesale  slaughter  of  the  Jews,  who,
through  his  influence  with  Ahasuerus,  are  delivered  over
to  him;  the  edict  goes  forth;  the  Jews  fill  the  land  with
lamentation;  Hainan's  star  is  in  the  ascendant. (2)
Mordecai  now  comes  forward  and  places  upon  Esther
the  responsibility  of  saving  her  people;  unmindful  of  the


THE  ORDERING  OF  THE  ACTION          211

danger,  she  consents,  with  the  patriotic  exclamation,
"If  I  perish,  I  perish!"  (3)  Then  follow  her  self-sought
audience  with  the  King,  her  favorable  reception,  her
invitation  to  the  King  and  Haman,  the  banquet  of  wine,
and  her  petition. (4)  From  this  scene  we  pass  to  Ha-
inan's house  and  see  him  in  all  his  boastful  pride;  never
have  his  fortunes  been  so  prosperous;  his  position  with
the  King  is  assured,  and  with  the  Queen  as  well  he
is  apparently  a  favorite;  he  confidently  orders  the  erec-
tion of  a  gallows  for  the  execution  of  his  enemy. (5)
Then  ensues  a  brief  episode,  fraught  with  significance
to  play  and  counterplay:  the  King  is  reminded  of  Mor-
decai's  services  at  the  time  of  Bigthan  and  Teresh's  con-
spiracy, and  discovers  that  the  faithful  Jew  has  never
been  rewarded  for  his  loyalty. Up  to  this  point  of  the
narrative  the  hero  of  the  rising  action  has  steadily  ad-
vanced in  fortune,  and  now  stands  at  the  apex  of  his  pros-
perity, —  the  attainment  of  supreme  social  and  political
favor. Mordecai,  on  the  other  hand,  has  met  with  con-
sistent adversity. 