Merlin- Social Class

In editing there are many different ways that social class is shown. the first way it is shown is when Merlin moves objects with his eyes this shows us that eve though Merlin is lower class he still has some power over the upper class even if it is just for a second. Another way it shows social class is the fast pace during the fight this builds the tension between upper class and lower class and shows that everyone is scared of the upper class. Another way social class is shown is by the smooth transitions between each shot this shows that the upper class are not scared at all and that they are clam because they have all the power. Social class is also shown by the use of screen time. In this clip Merlin has he most screen time this contradicts the upper class as we would expect them to have the most screen time as they are more powerful and controlling. Where as Merlin is lower class we wouldn't really expect to see his point of view.

In camera there are also many different ways you can show the differences between social class. The first way camera represents social class is the first scene where Merlin is in a room in the Castle. This shot tells us he shouldn't be here because it shows his face in awe and the close ups of the objects he is touching this tell us that he is curious to what they might be and represents that he is in a lower class and should not be in the room. Also in this first scene it shows a long wide shot of a woman walking towards the room Merlin is in. In this shot we can see that this woman is of a higher class than Merlin as her posture is very good and her clothes look new and are perfectly fitted. Also in this shot you can see her surroundings which are stained glass windows this adds to the effect that she belongs in the upper class. In the second scene there is an over the shoulder shot from Merlin's Master this tells us that his class are not the type of people to get into fights. We can tell this because of the expression on his face when the camera turns back to him. The last shot that represents class is the high shot of Merlin walking down the stairs. This makes him look small and shows the audience that he is the lower class. It also shows how the characters look down on him especially the upper class.

In Mise en Scene there are a number of ways to show social class, one way is the clothing they wear. The lower class, for example Merlin, wear rugged old clothes this tells us that he can not afford to buy new clothes this tells us that he is in the lower class. The upper class were wearing amour which tells us they are important and can afford to look after themselves. In the first scene there is woman that walks down the hallway of the castle we know she is in the upper class because she is wearing a long purple gown and her posture is very good. Also the setting behind her shows that she belongs in the upper class because when she walks past the stained glass windows the sun shines on her which shows she is innocent and belongs in the castle. There are two main props in this clip. One main prop is the broomstick this is used by the lower class to clean their floors however in this clip the upper class uses it to sweep up Merlin this shows us that he is lower class because the upper class is sweeping him up. This shows that the upper class has more power. Another prop that is used is the weapon that only the upper class have. Again this shows us that they have more power because they are the ones with the weapons and know how to use them. Whereas the lower class do not know how to use them this shows that they don't have any power against the upper class. At the beginning it shows the upper class walking around the castle, then the second scene is set in a small village with the lower class working. This shows the difference between the upper class and lower classes lives. The upper class does not have to work whereas the lower class do.

In sound there are many ways social class is represented. One way social class is represented in sound by the use of the word 'lord' Merlin says this in a sarcastic tone however it still shows the power the upper class hold power over the lower class. Another way social class is presented is when you can hear the diegetic sound of the woman's footsteps as she walks through the castle this shows her authority. However Merlin doesn't belong in the castle so when he is shown there is upbeat and dark music to show that a lower class person should not be in the castle. Another way we show the social class through sound is when Merlin and the guards are fighting with the sound of the animals and people working in the background. This shows us that the upper class are allowed to go where the lower class live but the lower class are not allowed to go where the upper class live this shows the difference between the social class and how powerful and in control the upper class are.