How does Shaffer raise his play from being a simple tale of history to a memorable and spectacular theatrical experience?
             Shaffer raise the play 'The Royal Hunt of the Sun' from a simple tale of history to a memorable and spectacular theatrical experience with the use of theatre effects and the use of contrasting characters, conflict and the narrative. These theatre techniques are going to explore and explain why it makes the play so memorable and spectacular.
             The setting of 'The Royal Hunt of the Sun' consists of a theatre with an upper level and a huge ring, twelve feet in diameter. This was hung in the centre of a wooden back-wall with twelve pedals around its circumference to form a great medallion. When the great medallion was opened the pedals formed the rays of a giant golden sun, this was the emblem of the Incas. When it was closed, it formed the emblem of the Conquistadors. Shaffer uses this medallion to symbolise the contrast in the setting, cultures and the different philosophies.
             The way Shaffer uses the narrator is a major part of the play as the narrator gives enlightenment into the story. The narrator is played by Old Martin who has an integral role in the action with flashbacks from the past when he was a Spanish soldier. Shaffer uses the device of Old and Young Martin to show the changing times and insight into the reality of the Spaniards battle to find gold. Old Martin is in his mid fifties and he wears a black costume of a Spanish hidalgo in the mid sixteenth century. Young Martin is Old Martin as an impetuous boy of fifteen and he accompanies Pizarro, the Spanish General as a young page.
             The dialogue used in 'The Royal Hunt of the Sun' provides an understanding of the conflicts between characters which are prominent throughout the play. The major conflict that arises is between Pizarro and Atahuallpa. The play takes place over a four-year period on two contrastin...