Verbal cues to construct space in the plays Everyman and Oed

The medium of expression, also known as the marriage of language and action is theaters’ most impressive mechanism. It is through this medium that theater is capable of creating a world both on stage and in the imagination. Verbal cues are a significant component in constructing this space. Everyman and Oedipus Tyrannos are no exceptions to this phenomenon as they exhibit minimalist settings and highly intangible personas, therefore, are highly dependent on verbal cues. In the following essay these plays will be used to demonstrate, how verbal cues such as metonymy, chorus, character names and descriptive conversations, are essential in constructing space.

Everyman and Oedipus Tyrannos use very contrasting as well as similar means of verbal cues. One type of verbal cue used in Oedipus Tyrannos is metonymy. In the play Oedipus Tyrannos, the audience is transported into the space of Thebes, through dialogue. In the following example we see how space is created by both Oedipus and the priest indirectly.

Oedipus “My Children, ancient Cadmus newest care...” ( Line 1 pg 70 Broadview)

Priest “ You came to Cadmus’ city and unbound...” (Line 35 pg 71 Broadview)

By mentioning Cadmus the king, the audience is aware that they are

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Another verbal cue used to establish space within Oedipus Tyrannos is in the form of the Chorus. This technique of verbal cue using character names enables to set the scene.

Everyman “ shall I have no company from this vale terrestrial” (Line 155 pg 243 Broadview)

Death “ Everyman , thou art mad! Thou hast thy wits five,

And here on earth will not amend thy life” (Line 168-169 pg 243 Broadview)

From this, one can gather the setting is on earth, but exactly where, the audience does not know, leaving a lot to the imagination. Space was hence created both on stage and in the observer’s mind. This form of indirect address, known as metonymy, is not the only technique used in the play to establish space. The interior actions are narrated in a speech delivered by a messenger rather than being acted in front of the audience. That is to say through the dialogue between the characters space is created on stage. , no murders or suicides were shown; instead, a messenger would inform the characters of the news) The Chorus is also vital in constructing space, by informing the audience where the conversation is being held, or where the actors are coming from.

He lunged through the double doors, he bent the hollow bolts from the socket, burst into the room.

Approximate Word count = 1052
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)

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