SHAKSPER 1998: Introductions

From: Hardy M. Cook (editor@ws.bowiestate.edu)
Date: 12/07/98 

The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 9.1260  Monday, 7 December 1998.

From:           Jacob Baltuch <jacob.baltuch@euronet.be>
Date:           Sunday, 6 Dec 1998 22:50:31 +0100 (MET)
Subject:        Introductions

I have one simple question about the very widespread stage convention
which consists in having one character "introduce" another that's just
walked in (or just before he does?) Examples are innumerable but just to
avoid any misunderstanding: "Here comes Brabantio and the valiant
Moor!", "Soft you, now, the fair Ophelia!", etc. etc.

The question is: What is (theatrically) the value of such a convention?
The actors are have just entered, what's the purpose of pointing it out
when it's obvious to everyone?  Does it have anything to do with the
specific Elizabethan staging conditions?


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