Spectacle

Spectacle in Drama

Othello

The scene when Othello is arrested is spectacular because of it’s dramatic content and possible props carried by the actors. It introduces the courthouse scene.
The courthouse scene at the beginning of the play set the atmosphere. It was spectacular because it is so serious. Previous to this scene we catch a glimpse of Othello’s wedding which is supposed to be a joyous occasion. However, the court scene brings the racial differences and other social controversy surrounding this marriage to the audiences attention by way of visual spectacle, a full courthouse with jury, judge, the accused and the accuser.
OTHELLO: Hold your hands,
Both you of my inclining and the rest.
Were it my cue to fight, I should have known it
Without a prompter. Where will you that I go
To answer this your charge?

BRABANTIO: To prison, till fit time
Of law and course of direct session
Call thee to answer (82-87, Act 1, Scene 2)
Dramatic irony is spectacular because throughout the play it is possible for the audience to see visually how Iago plots.
IAGO: I hate the moor:
And it is thought abroad, that twixt my sheets
He hath done my office: I know not if’t be true;
But I, for mere suspicion in that kind,
Will do as if for surety. He holds me well; the better shall my purpose work on him.
Cassio’s a proper man; let me see now,
To get his place and to plume up my will
In double knavery - How, how? – Let’s see: -
After some time, to abuse Othello’s ear
That he is too familiar with his wife.
He hath a person and a smooth dispose
To be suspected, framed to make women false.” (392-404, Act 1 Scene 3)The drunken celebration is spectacular because of blood that is spilled during this scene. The effectiveness of this scene is great due to the visual satisfaction of a fencing duel and a gushing wound.
The handkerchief is spectacular because it is visually symbolic. One could even go so far as to say that the plot is created around the handkerchief because it is the only “ocular proof” that Iago and Othello have against Desdemona.
“OTHELLO: To lose’t or giv’t away with such perdition
As nothing else could match” (61-64, Act 3, Scene 4)
The scene where Othello strikes Desdemona in front of an audience including Desdemona’s cousin is spectacular because it is a clear and visual proof of Othello losing his mind and beginning to fall into Iago’s web of lies. It shocks the audience into a feeling of hopelessness and takes away any thought of Othello being able to escape his fatal flaw. With this strike the audience can see events being set into a final motion and we know that Desdemona is doomed.
Final scene is spectacular because of the raw emotions shown in the faces of the actors. Desdemona is dead on the bed, while Othello, in tears is dying as well. This scene is extremely emotional and the audience is struck by the many strong emotions felt by the characters in this scene.
“DESDEMONA: The poor soul sad sighing by sycamore tree,
Sing all a green willow;
He hand on her bosom, her head on her knee,
Sing willow, willow, willow
The fresh streams ran by her, and murmured her moans. (41-49, Act 4, Scene 3)

Merchant of Venice

One of the opening scenes of the play is when Lorenzo kidnaps Jessica. This scene is spectacular because the kidnappers are masked and Jessica is in boys clothing. The audience’s attention is caught by the odd situation and wonders at the significance of this scene as it pertains to the plot. The costumes of the characters visually improve the drama in this scene making it spectacular.
The casket scenes are spectacular again because of the costumes worn by characters. The first two suitors are characterized by the culture of their own country and the number of people in their entourage. They seem to be very big and important but the audience later finds out just how small they are. The casket scene with Bassanio is also spectacular because tension is built through the large number of people gathered to watch Bassanio make his choice and the soliloquies given by Portia.
“MOROCCO: The first, Of gold, who this inscription bears,
‘Who chooseth me shall gain what many men desire’.
The second, silver, which this promise carries,:
“Who chooseth me shall get as much as he deserves”.
This third, dull lead, with warning all as blunt:
“Who chooseth me must give and hazard all he hath”.”(4-9 Act 2 Scene7)

The party following Bassanio’s correct choosing of the casket is also spectacular. All the people drinking and making merry is quite a scene. The audience perceives sentiments of joy, and relief during this scene.
The court scene at the end of the play is also spectacular. A full court of people including a judge, and jury is very spectacular. The audience can also see that Portia and her maid Nerissa are dressed as men to hold this trial of Shylock and Antonio.



The Lion and the Jewel

The dancers in this play show spectacle. When the villagers act out when the white
photographer come to the village and see Sidi while singing and dancing around. This is pleasing to the eye of the audience and creates an aura of fun and carelessness about the village. Sidi also poses during this scene and acts out her part in the story. The sheer number of people on stage during this point in time creates spectacle.
This same type of spectacle is shown at the end of the play when Sidi is getting married to Baroka. The dancers and singers make a wedding procession and follow joyfully.
The wrestling match between Baroka and the man that he wrestles is quite drawn out and dramatic. Sidi also sings and dances during this scene. It shows spectacle by giving visual proof of the strength of Baroka and Sidi is beautiful when dancing.
Baroka’s bedroom is spectacular because of its lavish decorations. To the audience it seems as if the room is a visual symbol of Baroka’s lifestyle because of its excess of decoration and the expensive furnishings.
Sidi is an example of spectacle. It is important that she be very beautiful and scantily clad to give the audience an idea of the intense desire that men have for her both Lakunle and Baroka.
The motorbike which was possessed by the photographer is also described in great detail along with the idea of a train.
(quote p37)
Stamps are also a visual symbol of the village. By making their own stamps the village takes another step towards catching up with the rest of the world and it also removes this village from isolation and connects it with the rest of the world.

A Doll’s House

Spectacle is shown in A Doll’s house when the Christmas tree is brought into the house. Nora is very concerned that the tree remain hidden from the children. This foreshadows the secrecy motif that evolves in the rest of the play. The Tree is one of the few props used in the minimalist play.

NORA: Hide the Christmas Tree carefully, Helen. Be sure the children do not see it till
this evening, when it is dressed. (Act 1 Scene 1)

Nora’s Chocolates are also an example of spectacle in the play because they are relied on excessively to show her childlike character. She also wants to decorate the Christmas tree with them, towards the end of the book. In the beginning of the book the chocolates show that Nora does not always listen, or tell the complete truth to her husband.

The window in the play shows spectacle through imagination. We as an audience know that significant events take place on the other side of the window however we cannot see them and therefore the audience must use their imagination and the window becomes a symbol of the outside world in this play. Doors also have a similar role in this story.

Nora’s dancing of the tarantella is spectacular. It shows the change in her character from a indecisive, childlike character to a much deeper character. At this point in the play, Nora ceases to be a doll, and begins a spider type, darker role.
(RANK sits down at the piano and plays. NORA dances more and more wildly. HELMER has taken up a position beside the stove, and during her dance gives her frequent
instructions. She does not seem to hear him; her hair comes down and falls over her
shoulders; she pays no attention to it, but goes on dancing. Enter MRS LINDE)”(pg 47)

Nora’s change in clothing is an example of spectacle because it shows the audience how Nora has changed physically and emotionally, and it also shows that her husband only notices her physical change, because that is what he is used to seeing her as.

The play all takes place within one room. Through the lack of spectacular scenery, the writer creates a feeling of festering, closed in, closeness.

Pygmalion

Classes
The opening scene of the play begins by showing deep contrasts between the various characters who belong to various classes of society. This is all very showy as each member of society in their own way displays airs: Eliza wails to bring attention to herself, the Eynsford women clamor Freddy to find them a cab so they may keep their gowns in their delicate perfection, the bystanders join in the chaos with exclamations, gossip and assumptions of their own, Colonel Pickering is sure to act a gentleman toeverything that crosses his path, and Higgins enjoys causing turmoil and wonder amongst everybody by showing off the extent of his knowledge on the spot, showing off his notes and generally acting impertinent and arrogant.

Flowers and Money
In the beginning of the play, Eliza’s violets are tossed about on stage by Freddy’s
running into her and her swinging her basket around as she wails on stage, weaving in between bystanders before she confronts the “copper’s nark”. During this scene, money is also tossed about between characters. Both of these spectacular bright spots contrast with the dreary somewhat dirty surroundings and Eliza’s general persona. They also give a visual foreshadowing as to Eliza’s blossoming into a respectable, fashionable, socialite woman who is later capable of working in a florist’s shop, retaining her own purse with what responsibility and accountability she deems reasonable.

Changing Outfits
Eliza’s outfits and outward appearance change throughout the play in correspondence with her socialite fluency.*street urchin outfit, odd outfit to impress upon Higgins the seriousness of her intentions for elocution lessons outfit, Japanese outfit, garden party outfit, duchess outfit, day clothes in last scene* Although, reflecting Shaw’s belief of a person’s inner energy, Eliza always has a bit of spunk in her personality, her personality matures and she seems to become more substantial as a person as her clothing does the same. Ironically, it is only society that views her as more substantial; Shaw’s satire highlights how in reality, this is not so. The ultimate charm of Eliza is that she is sophisticated, but still retains her human, genuine personality which shines through the spectacle of her clothing, giving height to her grandeur as a “duchess”.

Bath
The scene where Eliza is stripped down for the bath and is thrown in for a decent and thorough washing is -with the bubbles and water and clothing and limbs and hair flying everywhere- is quite a show for the audience. The idea and visibility of the bath and its contents add another dimension to the theatre for the audience to delight in Eliza’s hilarious, unwarranted fear of drowning in something so basic as a bath.

Accents
The accents of all the actors on stage provide great entertainment for the audience,
British and non-British alike.
“BYSTANDER: It's aw rawt: e's a gentlemen: look at his be-oots. She thought you was a copper's nark, sir. (p 7)


Sets
Due to the style of furnishing during the time period in which Pygmalion is set, the
interior of even a simple library would be quite elaborate and lavish. Each act of
the play is set someplace new (except for Mrs. Higgins’ apartment which provides a basis for judging Eliza’s development).