Did Shakespeare use language to set the scene?
Yes, Shakespeare often used language to set a scene and create atmosphere. Shakespeare had a vast and vivid vocabulary at his disposal and used it to create images and metaphors that would transport audiences to different locations, convey the weather, time of day, and more. For example, in his famous play "Romeo and Juliet," Shakespeare uses descriptive language to evoke a sense of romance, passion, and excitement in the famous balcony scene: "But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?/ It is the east, and Juliet is the sun." In "Macbeth," Shakespeare uses imagery to create a sense of foreboding, darkness, and chaos: "The earth was feverous and did shake." Overall, Shakespeare's mastery of language allowed him to create vivid and memorable settings for his plays, contributing significantly to their dramatic impact.