Structure TMOV

Structure TMOV

1. Entrances and Exits

   • Fluid movement, each entrance and exit link together

2. Setting

   • Juxtaposition of Belmont and Venice
     • Switch between tense and light toned scenes

3. Timing of Events

   • Act 3 Scene 2 Salerio comes bearing a letter describing Antonio’s situation right after he has chosen the correct case. “... I have reason for it.... his letter there will show you his estate.” Immediately after the tension has dropped as Bassanio has just chosen the right case, Shakespeare reminds us of Antonio’s predicament, through Salerio’s entrance and news, reinstating the tension.
   • Act 3 Scene 1 We learn that Antonio’s ships have crashed which already makes us fear for him “... Antonio hath a ship of rich lading wrecked”, but then Shylock arrives. Fortunately he does not know of Antonio’s misfortune “ do you hear whether Antonio have had any loss at sea or no?” “There I have another bad match”. This creates relief in the audience as Antonio’s life is not in immediate danger. However, Shakespeare then introduces Tubal who informs Shylock of the shipwreck “Antonio… hath an argosy cast away”. Tension would rise again as Shylock who has just spoken menacingly of the bond, “to bait fish withal...:”, now knows Antonio cannot fufill the bond.
   • During the courtroom scene, dramatic structure is used to heighten the tension. Act 4 sc 1 is the courtroom scene where Portia arrives, dressed as a lawyer to try and defend Antonio. Tension is created throughout the scene as Portia, dressed as a lawyer, announces what’s going to happen to Antonio. Towards the end of the scene, Shakespeare creates a plot twist and Portia reveals a loophole in the bond which saves Antonio. ““Tarry a little, there is something else” , “This bond doth give thee here no jot of blood”.

4. Creates suspense

   • Shakespeare creates moments of great suspense through the manner of changing between plots and locations at vital points in the proceedings.
   • Shakespeare weaves the different plots together
   • Sometimes the audience is ahead of the characters - dramatic irony. On other occasions, the audience is not shown something until the characters has seen it. By varying the use of these techniques, Shakespeare is able to develop both humour and dramatic tension.