Mise-en-scene-Merlin

We watched a clip from the TV series Merlin and analysed how mise-en-scene was used to represent the different classes and status. The setting for the clip is in a medieval castle which shows instantly that there will be a bondage of classes from royalty to peasants. We saw Merlin who is a peasant have a fight with Arthur who is royalty. Their clothing also shows their different classes, with Merlin we saw him wearing a ragged t-shirt and jacket along with ripped trousers that are dirty. This reflects his status as a non-important peasant who isn't important. In contrast we saw Arthur wearing a bright red tunic with plates of armor in him for protection, this instantly displays his authority over Merlin and his status as royalty and power. 

The lighting also showed the difference in classes, when Merlin is in the castle room that he is not supposed to be in and gets caught by the woman, the room is well lit and highlights how wealthy the royals are because everything is lit up and colorful, whereas when we see outside, apart from the natural light of the sun, there isn't much artificial lighting showing how dark it is to live outside the castle as a peasant where there are no privileges, highlighting the major status difference between the two.

Props also highlight key differences between the two classes, in the clip when Merlin is in the castle we see various expensive items like stone pillars, big glass mirrors and huge wooded tables. Then when we saw the peasant village we saw old and cheap pots and pans, as well as numerous stone fires and makeshift shelters, highlighting the extreme difference in wealth and class, how the wealthy are much better of with everything there for them whilst the lower classes have to fend for them selves.