: Dancers use codified hand gestures to communicate specific words or feelings to the audience: Love : Hands crossed over the heart. Marriage : Pointing to the ring finger. Death : Fists clenched and crossed low. An Oath : Two fingers raised toward the sky.

In the world of ballet, the "text" isn't spoken—it’s written in motion. While there is no dialogue on stage, the narrative is built through a (the written storyline) and a specialized physical language of pantomime . How Ballet "Speaks"

Most classical ballets are based on fairy tales, folklore, or literary works. They often explore: