1. sudden changes in fortune or circumstances, especially in a narrative or dramatic work; reversals of fate.
Usage: plural of peripety; commonly used in literary and dramatic criticism; often refers to plot twists or unexpected turns of events

Examples

• The novel is filled with peripeties that keep readers guessing until the final chapter.
• Shakespeare's tragedies are known for their dramatic peripeties and unexpected reversals.
• The film's peripeties transform the protagonist from hero to villain and back again.
• In classical drama, peripeties were essential to maintaining audience interest.
• The detective story relies on peripeties to surprise the reader with new evidence.
• The character's fortunes undergo several peripeties throughout the play.