Shashank RavishankarDeath of a SalesmanAct 1 Stage DirectionsA melody is heard. Played upon a flute.Melody will qualify as sound or music. Melody=Salesman. Melody=Willy. The flute is important, because it gives a distinct quality to the sound. Secondly, Willys father used to sell flutes. Sound precedes the actors actions or dialogues. Does this to set the atmosphere, foreshadowing, and to say that sound as important in theatre.Symbolism is of nature. Nature of flute is rustic, and is meant to create a scene which is rustic, ideal, which is not modern and not of the city. Ironic, as this entire thing takes place in urbanised America. This therefore establishes one of the themes of the play, which is conflict between modernisation and nature. No name, just referred to as the salesmans house. Claustrophobic setting of the city. Use of colour, and use of light. Proscenium=School hall type theatre. Forestage=closest to the audience. Adjectives used, epithet making the house seem fragile. Dream rising out of reality- Irony.Dream is representative and symbolic of the American Dream. Important theme and context for this text. Set design- Realistic. Trophy- part of the set design and prop, symbolic of success, achievement and past glory. Significant because the bedroom is where the two boys are, symbolic of the enormous pressure put on them by their father.Set design and setting is extremely realistic.Partially transparent- as much as it gives a sense of reality, it also breaks the sense of reality.Apron- props, realism. Orchestra area- Very very important. This is stage design. It helps to divide the stage between the present and the past.Stage design helps in creating a difference between the present and the past episodes in the play. Characters enter through a mark marking the fourth stage- VERY VERY IMPORTANT. 4th wall not broken4th wall broken

Audience does not interact with the actorsMaintains the illusionThe message is very preachy, helps the audience escape reality. Audience interacts with the actorsBreaks the illusion that the actors on stage are realThe purpose here is to make the audience think critically about their reality.

Costume for protagonistExhaustion- gesture and character movement on stage.Sigh, walk, same thing.Cases- prop. Iron repression- This character is very very important. She is somebody who is repressed, but she has done this voluntarily. Relationship between husband and wife Hierarchical.Willy is mercurial.Linda thinks that the dreams are more important than the cruelties. Longing within him- Dreams are Willys. Not Lindas. Turbulent is also symbolic of his character. Does not have a dream of her own.