What element in the first act of a play provides the BEST clue about the play’s theme?

Question

characters

conflict

setting

exposition

Answer 1

In the first act of a play, the conflict typically provides the best clue about the play's theme. While characters, setting, and exposition are important elements that can also contribute to understanding the theme, it is often the conflict that highlights the central issues or struggles characters face, which ultimately reveals the underlying themes of the play.