Throughout Merlin, there are many representations of class and status shown through the
use of camera angles, sound, mise en scene and editing. At the beginning of the
clip, there is a long establishing shot of the castle from the inside. This is
used to show the wealth of the upper class by showing the broadness of the
castle. The establishing shot of the castle also shows the upper class’ style
of life by showing the character of the old castle, the castle featured antique
style decoration which gives the impression of wealth. A close angle shot was
used when Merlin, the main character, was looking at the goods on the table, particularly
when picked up the straw and Merlin looked confused and uncertain. The director
chose to use a close shot to show merlin’s uncertainty to represent possible
lack of intelligence in comparison to upper class people and royalty. It is a
common stereotype that those of a wealthy background receive a better education
and are therefore more intelligent than those with less money. In the clip,
camera angles are used to represent the superiority of upper class people compared
to lower class. When Merlin leaves the castle, a high angle shot is used to
show him walk down the steps as if he was walking back down to where he should
be, with lower class people. The high angle shot suggests that the castle and
the people in it look down on lower class people, and consider them to be
beneath them in a hierarchy of importance. The position of the shot suggests
that the castle is towering over the steps that merlin was walking down which is
a metaphor for wealthier people who have a known name for themselves believe
they have power of those who don’t have a wealthy status. In the scene of the
fight between merlin and the royal boy, there is a particularly obvious still
shot that shows merlin laying on the floor looking up to the royal boy, this is
used to represent how merlin should feel inferior to the royals, and idolise
him.
Mise en scene is also used to
represent different stereotypes of class and status. At the beginning of the
clip we are shown different shots of the Royal lady and also of merlin. The
clothing of the two characters are purposely showing to represent the different
of presentation they have. Merlin is shown in rags, looking scruffy and the
royal lady is dressed in an elegant purple dress, the differentiation between
the two characters outfits show the difference in their lifestyles. The fact
that merlin is in rags suggest he comes from a family of little money, and the
royal lady’s elegant dress suggests she comes from a very wealthy background.
Similar to this, the royal boy is dressed in posh armour when approaching
merlin which suggests wealth and authority over merlin. The armour is a form of
protection for the royal boy when fighting, which gives him an advantage over
merlin when fighting. This could imply that because of the status and money
that the royals have they believe that they are protected from fear or bad
things happening to them because of their status. Due to the armour giving him
an advantage over merlin when fighting, when he wins it seems unfair as merlin
had no protection – this suggest an artificial character trait from a wealthy
person as opposed to the rawness and realness of merlin’s character. In the
extract, the princess’s room is shown, it is very large, glamorous, well lit, and
clean and also contains lots of luxury items for the princess. We are also
shown a room of someone of a lower class (merlin) which appears to be very
dark, gloomy, and untidy and cramped, the contrast of the two rooms are almost exactly
the opposite which represents the difference in their lifestyles. It reinforces
the stereotype that poor people live in poor conditions and do not have a happy
home, whereas those who are rich live in a luxurious home and have a happy
lifestyle
.
Editing is used in several ways
to reinforce representations of people of different class and status. Tracking
shots and close up shots are used alongside each other in the fight scenes to
represent obstruction between the two characters. Many of the shots show the
royal boy to be empowering over merlin, either showing him looking down on
merlin or merlin looking up to him. The switch up in camera angels become quite
chaotic to watch, thus implying that the upper class and lower class do not mix
well together due the classic stereotype of upper class people being snobbish
which is quite apparent in this extract. Special
effects are used to represent the magic, such as the changing colours of Merlin’s
eyes. The use of the magic suggests that Merlin feels like he has no option but
to use magic as he feels inferior to the royal boy, and that there was no way
for him to prove himself unless he could use his powers in his favour against
the royal boy. Although throughout the majority of the clip, merlin and the
lower class citizens are shown to be inferior to upper class citizens, the stereotype
of people with an important status being more important than those that do now
is counteracted by the screenplay of the characters. Merlin gains the audience’s
attention as the main character and receives the longest amount of screen time
which gives Merlin importance. We see the majority of the clip from Merlin’s
perspective, and therefore feel as though we are allied with Merlin due to the
majority of people being of a middle class in our society today.
Sound is used in the clip to
show representations of class and status, mainly through speech. The director
purposely makes the royal boy appear snobbish and very arrogant. The royal says
‘I could take you apart with one blow.’ He is obviously very confident, and
sees Merlin as someone who is less important than himself, and believes that
merlin should be afraid of him. ‘With one blow’ suggests that he believes that
Merlin is weak and frail and a potential target. This comment is said in a
manner that comes across to the audience that the royal boy thinks it is common
knowledge and is obvious that he would win in a fight against Merlin. The boy
in armour, uses patronising language such as ‘here you go big man’ when it is obvious
o the audience that merlin is of a smaller muscular frame that the royal boy. By
patronising Merlin, he is degrading him and making him feel worthless which is
again suggesting authority of the upper class over the lower class. It is
expected of the audience for Merlin to ignore the situation and not answer
back, however when he says ‘How long have you been training to be a prat’ it is
humorous which shows the light hearted nature of Merlin’s character compared to
the royals stern facial expressions and serious conversations. The use of the
word ‘prat’ reinforces the stereotype of lower class people being uneducated.
Merlin is not particularly well spoken, which is bluntly obvious when the two different
classed boys are having a conversation. Merlin does not pronounce his words in
the same manner as the upper class boy does, which implies a higher level of
education. There are two quotes that imply that Merlin believes he has an empty
life because of his class/status. ‘If I can’t use magic I might as well die.’ Also
‘If I haven’t got magic, what have I got?’ By Merlin saying this, he gives the impression
to the audience that he leads a boring, worthless life because he is poor.
