One way class in being represented in this extract from Merlin is through the use of camerawork. An example of this is when Merlin is exiting the woman in purple's house, going down the stairs. A tracking shot is being used to show this and the shot is moving downwards as he is going down the stairs. From this, it is clear that Merlin is being made to seem inferior in such a grand location and that he is going back where he belongs, amongst other people of the same class as him.
Another way class is being represented is through the use of mise-en-scene. This is being used throughout the extract by showing Merlins costume, which completely isolates his character when he is in the house of a posh family presumably, however we only see the woman who lives there. We are shown a room filled with expensive jewels and other possessions whilst Merlin is stood in the centre of the room. This exaggerates the idea that Merlin is somewhere he shouldn't be and that he is becoming excluded from upper class society because he is wearing dirty, scraggy clothes in a very clean and posh place.
Furthermore, class is also being represented though the use of sound. This is being used mainly through the use of dialogue, as this is why Arthur and Merlin end up fighting towards the end of the extract. Merlin's character is being presented as very confident and witty, despite being out numbered by roughly 5 other men who are more powerful than him. This is used a lot when lower class people are being portrayed. This gives them an advantage and shows that they are more literate, which further shows that poor people are not stereotypically stupid. An example of the dialogue used is "How long have you been trained to be a prat, my Lord". This allows the viewer to see that Merlin is not letting his place in society affect him and he doesn't want to be seen as a coward by immediately backing down to someone higher up than him.
To add to that, another way sound is being used is when Merlin is walking through the street amongst other people who are of the same class as him. This is emphasised through the diegetic sounds of chickens and goats. These are possibly going to be used to sell to upper class people for feasts or dinners, therefore this is their job and richer people don't work, encouraging the idea that Merlin is comfortable amongst his community.
Moreover, the representation of class in this extract is being used through the use of editing. This is being shown when Arthur and Merlin are confronting one another in the streets of where Merlin lives. A shot reverse shot is being used to show the tension slowly rising between the two men. At first, we are seeing Arthur prepare to hit Merlin with his weapon, we then see Merlin respond to this and we see Arthur swing the weapon, following that we see Merlin duck and look shocked that Arthur was going through with his threats. This shows that there is an on going rivalry between both Arthur and Merlin, and that this is not the first time they have fallen into a disagreement.
Careful of your key terminology Daniella. The tracking shot is in the marketplace - it is a crane shot when Merlin goes down the stairs. Revise KEY TERMS before January's exam. Paragraph 3 is your best paragraph - but don't forget the word diegetic! Rewrite your final paragraph making the class representations more explicit.
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