LANGUSGE AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE EXCERPT FORM THE ROVER - Essay Example

LANGUSGE AND THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF THE EXCERPT FORM THE ROVER By To 12 April The scene has been taken from the play ‘The Rover’. This scene is based on a heated conversation of threats and placating between the two protagonists of the play i.e. Willmore and Angelica as Angelica is observed to be holding a gun against Willmore’s breast and threatening to take his life while Willmore tries to placate her and tries to save himself from Angelica’s wrath. The various themes projected in this scene include theme of appearance and reality, theme of love and theme of revenge.

The theme of appearance and reality is apparent from the very first line of stage setting instructions of this scene as it states, “enter again the page conducting in Angelica in a masquing habit and a vizard”. Angelica’s garb of a young page to hide her identity not only reflects on the theme of appearance and reality but also supports theme of deception in the play. Moreover theme of love and appearance and reality are also observed to be interconnected during the course of this scene.

The reason being that Angelica says at one point, “oh if I take no heed my coward heart will leave me at his mercy” this line reveals her love for Willmore yet at the same time she keeps up a strong demeanor of a woman bent on taking her revenge. Hence through her behavior the readers observe that her action of hiding her true feelings and keeping up an angry and strong upfront also illustrates the theme of appearance and reality yet at the same time reveals her vulnerability and love for Willmore.

This scene demonstrates that angelica is bent on taking her revenge on Willmore by killing him and the readers observe that the reason for her anger is that Willmore had played with her emotions. Her intention of avenging herself is very clear from her dialogues as she says, “one thou hast injured, and who comes to kill thee for’t” also she says, “By all my hopes to kill thee”. Both lines reflect on Angelica’s anger and her desire to avenge herself for the injustices done by Willmore.

As towards the end of this excerpt she says, “How many hearts thou hast betrayed to ruin? Yet these are little mischiefs to the ills Thou’st taught mine to commit: thou’st taught it love”. The author has made use of simple and easy diction although the over all tone of the dialogue deliverance and use of words demonstrate anger and hatred in Angelica’s case. While in the case of Willmore the tone is deliberately calm, reasonable and questioning as he is trying to prevent Angelica from killing him.

Turn taking technique has been used for dialogue delivery. Two asides have been used in this scene. The first aside is delivered by Willmore and it projects his perceptive observation that Angelica is not giving empty threats but she actually intends to kill him for his wrong doings. On the other hand in Angelica’s case it reiterates her vulnerability when it comes to Willmore because regardless of her apparent anger she still loves him. Since the stage settings indicate that this scene is a private occurrence between Angelica and Willmore and there are no onlookers so this scene should be performed against the backdrop of Willmore’s living quarters where he is caught off guard by Angelica in the garb of a page.

It can also be performed against a patio or a veranda setting of Willmore’s humble abode. The costumes required for this scene should comprise of men’s garb which will include a good and form fitting outfit for Willmore while worn out clothes for Angelica. Hence this scene should be performed in a setting that projects living quarters of a male with masculine furniture and the room furnished in dark colors.