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The nature of the opening scene in Shakespeare's plays is determined by two essential factors namely: the condition of the stage and the nature of the audience.
i)To evoke,grab the attention of the audience.
ii)To arouse curiosity.
Modern age; Shakespearean stage setup:
Shakespeare had none of the technical devices or the clear modern stage setup but he secured the attention of his modern audience with brilliant and thoughtful interesting scenes. Shakespearean theatre setup were of no light settings,no drop curtains and no scenery. Secondly, the Shakespearean audience was of disorderly,with people cracking nuts and crab shells,gossiping,crowd indulging often in drunken quarrels.
The Audience : Shakespeare had to arrest the attention of such an audience,which was barbaric in nature,common.Common civilians came just for one penny as their cost of entertainment.Shakespeare's opening scenes demand to portray the dramatic sequence,the picture,with the audience imagining themselves as the major character.
Shakespeare stuffs the opening scene with the story outline,highlighting the theme of the play.
Moreover,his opening scenes were startling and amusing.
For example.: The Tempest opens with the roar of a storm at sea.
In Hamlet, a Ghost enters the opening scene with a frightened Sentry mumbling a challenge.
In Macbeth,the sight of the three witches in thunder and lightning must have almost curdled the blood of the audience.Also the three bearded hags springing out of the fog must have immediately silenced the gossiping audience.
Purpose : The major characteristic of opening scene in Shakespearean plays is to grab the attention of the audience,supply the necessary information,so that they can easily follow the scenes of the play easily.Shakespeare as a craftsman,effectively exposes the major theme and outline of the story,in the exposition. The opening scenes,more likely,hint at the atmosphere of the play.
In Macbeth,the first remark of the Witch is significant ''When shall we three meet again...''
Critics like Palmer state that this scene is spurious.Granville - Baker agrees with them and says that the opening scene is Shakespearean.He remarks that this scene is pointless but Coleridge praises this particular opening scene of Macbeth.
The audience immediately understands that the witches have already met.The audience meets the witches in the backdrop thunder and lightning and the echoes of the faraway battle.
The Second Hag replies that they should meet again when the battle is lost or won.Thus, Shakespeare provides us with information about the battle.Now the curiosity of the audience is aroused.
Sensational opening scenes in Elizabethan Drama:
The opening scenes of Shakespeare's plays are carefully crafted to draw in the audience and set the tone for the entire story.
1. Engaging Beginning: Shakespeare often starts his plays with a scene that grabs the audience's attention. A prime example is the beginning of Macbeth, where the dialogue of the three witches creates a chilling and ominous mood with the line, "When shall we three meet again, in thunder, lightning, or in rain?".
2. Introduction of Themes: The initial scenes frequently establish the main themes of the play. In Romeo and Juliet, the prologue clearly outlines the tragic fate of the "star-crossed lovers," foreshadowing the themes of love and conflict.
The witches warn the audience that,appearances are despective ''Fair is Foul and Foul is Fair'' Shakespeare wisely highlights,expose the invisible fight,the struggle between the Good and Evil.
3. Character Insights: Important characters are usually introduced early on, providing glimpses into their personalities and motivations. For instance, Hamlet starts with the guards meeting the ghost, which not only introduces the theme of uncertainty but also sets the stage for Hamlet's quest for truth.
4. Setting the Scene: Shakespeare uses the opening moments to create the setting and provide contextual background. In The Tempest, the play begins with a storm at sea, which not only captures the audience's attention but also introduces the magical and tumultuous environment of the island.
5. Building Tension: The opening scenes often create a sense of tension or conflict that drives the story forward. In Julius Caesar, the play kicks off with a public celebration that is quickly disrupted by political turmoil, hinting at the dramatic events that will unfold.
These elements make Shakespeare's opening scenes powerful and memorable, immersing the audience in the story right from the start.
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