Merlin – Representation of Class and Status.

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

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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.