The Tempest Essay Example

state and do not have time for lengthy conversations. The script itself contains numerous exclamation marks, reflecting the characters' need to shout in order to be heard above the noise of the storm. In contemporary theatre, a storm scene would likely utilize recordings of thunder, crashing waves, and the sound of a ship breaking apart. However, in Shakespeare's time, theatres did not possess such advanced technology. They had to rely on creating physical noise to simulate thunder. Similarly, while modern theatre often employs sophisticated strobe lighting effects, Shakespeare would have faced more limitations. He might have resorted to using explosives or brightly burning chemicals to achieve his desired visual impact.It is important to keep in mind that in the past, people attached greater significance to thunder and lightning than we do today. While we view it merely as bad weather, they may have seen it through a religious or spiritual lens. Interestingly, it was these types of crude special effects that ultimately caused the Globe Theatre to be burned down. In addition to the rapid and anxious dialogue, the characters frequently enter and exit the stage, indicating their busyness to the audience. These simplistic methods effectively convey tension and excitement. The tension quickly escalates in the scene as nerves fray and the characters grow more panicked. The conversation between the Boatswain and passengers Antonio and Alonso becomes increasingly heated, eventually leading to insults, despite the need for unity in such circumstances. One particularly effective technique used here is the cry within, where someone shouts something off-stage. For instance, lines 58-61 include the following: "A confused noise within: 'Mercy on us!' 'We split, we split!' 'Farewell,

my wife and children!' 'Farewell, brother!' 'We split, we split, we split!'" As Shakespeare's theatre lacked an effective means of portraying the ship's destruction on stage, he employs this indirect method, allowing the audience to imagine the ship's demise entirely on their own.

This scene is more effective than anything that could have been physically performed on stage, even for modern theatres. The only way to depict it directly would be in a film, which was not even imagined in the 17th Century. If portrayed effectively, this scene would undoubtedly captivate the audience's attention. However, their minds may still wander during the dialogue-driven next scene. To prevent this, Shakespeare relies on a cliffhanger - a technique commonly used in various storytelling media. A cliffhanger leaves the audience uncertain about the ending and encourages them to return for the next part to discover what happens next. Act 1 Scene 1 of The Tempest ends with the audience unsure if anyone on the boat survived. Later in the following scene, the fate of the crew and passengers is revealed, capturing the audience's attention. Using these techniques, Shakespeare succeeds in engaging the audience and evoking their curiosity about the plot."