ACT

In Dramatic literature, a division of a drama, subdivided into scenes. The Greek dramas of the old model were naturally divided into separate portions by the stasima, or choric odes, which occur at intervals, during which the stage was left to the sole occupation of the chorus. Neverthele , the Grecian writers do not notice this division in expre terms; nor do we know the origin of the famous rule of Horace, that every dramatic piece should be restrained within the limits of five acts, neither more nor le . The division into acts must be in great measure arbitrary, although rules have been laid down, by various writers, to define the portion of the story or plot which should be contained in each of them. Thus, Vo ius lays it down as a rule, that the first act presents the intrigue, the second develops it, the third IS filled with incidents forming its knot or complication, the fourth prepares the means of unravelling it, which is finally accomplished in the fifth. (See Drama.) Act. In the Universities, an exercise performed by students before they are admitted to degrees. The student proposes certain questions to the presiding officer of the schools, who then nominates other students to oppose him. The discu ion is syllogistical and in Latin, and terminates by the presiding officer questioning the respondent, or person who is said to keep the act, and his opponents, and dismi ing them with some remarks upon their respective merits. [s. 25]