intrigue / plot
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intrigue
A treacherous, secret plan intended to harm someone or achieve a goal through deception and cunning.
Er wurde Opfer einer Intrige, die von seinen Konkurrenten gesponnen wurde.
He became the victim of an intrigue spun by his competitors.
plot
In literary or theater studies, the artfully constructed, often complex plot of a drama or novel, based on complications and intrigues.
Die Intrige des Stücks war so verworren, dass das Publikum kaum folgen konnte.
The plot of the play was so convoluted that the audience could hardly follow it.
There is a very typical verb for planning an intrigue: 'eine Intrige spinnen' (to spin an intrigue). Alternatively, 'eine Intrige schmieden' (to forge an intrigue) is also used.
Hinter den Kulissen spann der Minister eine Intrige gegen seinen Rivalen.
Behind the scenes, the minister spun an intrigue against his rival.
When someone is harmed by an intrigue, people often say that this person 'Opfer einer Intrige wird' (becomes the victim of an intrigue) or 'einer Intrige zum Opfer fällt' (falls victim to an intrigue).
Die junge Managerin wurde Opfer einer Intrige und verlor ihren Job.
The young manager became the victim of an intrigue and lost her job.
You can recognize this meaning from the context: when a 'Roman' (novel), 'Drama' (drama/play), 'Film' (film), or the 'Handlung' (plot/action) is mentioned, it refers to the structure of the story and not to a real, malicious plan.
In Shakespeares Dramen spielt die politische Intrige oft eine zentrale Rolle.
In Shakespeare's dramas, political intrigue often plays a central role.
plot / action
Die Handlung covers everything that happens in a novel or drama. Intrige is appropriate when these events are artfully structured through complications, secret plans, and schemes. Use Handlung for a neutral summary; use Intrige for the distinctive structure created by such complications.
Die Intrige des Dramas entsteht durch die geheimen Pläne gegen den zurückgekehrten König.
The drama's intrigue develops through the secret plans against the returned king.
Die Handlung des Dramas reicht von der Rückkehr des Königs bis zu seinem Tod.
The drama's plot spans the period from the king's return to his death.
