Authorial Intent

The intent of the author is important? here is a writeup on Wikipedia.

Part of a category called Narratology.

Which includes this link to the 36 Dramatic Situations:

1. Supplication
   
2. Deliverance
   
3. Crime
   
4. Vengeance
   
5. Pursuit
   
6. Disaster
   
7. Revolt
   
8. Daring Enterprise
   
9. Abduction
   
10. The enigma
    
11. Obtaining
    
12. Enmity of Kin
    
13. Rivalry of Kin
    
14. Murderous adultery
    
15. Madness
    
16. Fatal Imprudence
    
17. Involuntary
    
18. Slaying of kin unrecognized
    
19. Self-sacrifice for an ideal
    
20. Self-sacrifice for kin
    
21. All sacrificed for passion
    
22. Necessity
    
23. Rivalry of superior vs. inferior
    
24. Adultery
    
25. Crimes of Love
    
26. Discovery of the dishonor of a loved one
    
27. Obstacles of love
    
28. An enemy loved
    
29. Ambition
    
30. Conflict with a god
    
31. Mistaken jealousy
    
32. Erroneous judgement
    
33. Remorse
    
34. Recovery of a lost one
    
35. Loss of loved ones
    

"Gozzi maintained that there can be but thirty-six tragic situations. Schiller took great pains to find more, but he was unable to find even so many as Gozzi."

-Goethe

I guess they studied all the classics and thats all they could come up with.