The Royal Hunt of the Sun
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
'The sun gives a deep groan, like the sound of a great animal being wounded. The different philosophies of the Spanish and Inca are vivid throughout the play and they become apparent in scene four. In scene four the cloth of blood is removed from the stage, Shaffer does this because in this scene the Indians appear with new clothing and the Inca's remove Atahuallpa's bloodstained garments and put clean ones on. An organ sounds and there is Spanish celebration. The Spaniards begin to march in slow motion. ' De Soto said this, he was referring about the way Spain was shamed compared to the structure of the Indian's way of life. In the centre stands Atahuallpa, sovereign Inca of Peru, masked, crowned and dressed in gold. Mountains set on mountains: cliffs on cliffs. ' Shaffer uses these movements to depict the reality of the expressions and gestures in the context of what is happening. Other theatre effects consist of the Indians crying out in horror and the drum hammering on while Atahuallpa is led off the stage at sword-point by the Spaniards. 'The food is served to the Inca in this manner. All of these theatrical devices used helped raise 'The Royal Hunt of the Sun' from a simple tale of history to a memorable and spectacular theatrical experience with the use of great theatre techniques such as setting, symbolism, lighting, and dialogue. The major conflict that arises is between Pizarro and Atahuallpa.
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