Wild Duck Journal 2: Comparison

A dramatist often creates a gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. With reference to at least two plays, discuss how and to what effect dramatists have used this technique.

In Oedipus, Sophocles makes use of the gap between the characters' knowledge and the audience for dramatic and thematic effects. Sophocles uses the Ancient Greek audiences' knowledge of the myth of Oedipus to create the effect of a slow motion train wreck as Oedipus gets closer and closer to discovering his true identity. Most of the audience would have know the general premise of the myth of Oedipus, but Sophocles plays with the canon of the myth and works the play up to a climax that the reader/audience can feel, despite knowing the end of the story. More importantly, Oedipus's ignorance allows Sophocles explore the way men react to fate and other themes. In Oedipus's case, he carries himself in a dignified manner to the events fate has brought to him, which he is powerless to change. This speaks to the particular temperament of man to face fate in a honorable manner.

On the other hand, in Ibsen's Blood Wedding, the audience's lack of insight into the characters' thoughts creates ambiguity around the characters and their motivations. For instance, the mystery of the fall of Lieutenant Edkal begins the story. Although it is hinted that both Edkal and the old Mr. Werle share the blame, we never find out the facts behind the whole indecent that ruined both the lives of Edkal and his son. It seems as though this mystery was created to create a setting and act as a hook to draw the audience in. However, the play never reveals what actually happened. Another mystery for the audience is Hjalmar's "invention" that we never see or here about. It seems that in the beginning of the book the "invention" is the only thing keeping Hjalmar optimistic about life. However, the audience never actually sees the invention. Later in the book, it is implied that it was Dr. Rellings' invention to keep Hjalmar sane. By shrouding this "invention" in mystery, I believe that Ibsen creates a symbol for the audience to project their hopes onto, creating a deeper and more personal connection to the play.