Question 27

Listen to the recording: In modern cinema, a director can use filters and CGI to set a mood instantly. But for Shakespeare, working in an open-air theatre in broad daylight, creating atmosphere was a distinct challenge. He could not simply dim the lights to signal the onset of night or a spooky occurrence. Instead, he had to embed these cues directly into the dialogue. When a character remarks on the bitter cold or the encroaching darkness, they are literally painting the scene for the audience. Thus, the rich imagery in these plays serves a practical purpose, filling the void left by the absence of ...