The Element Of Setting In Drama

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The Element of Setting in Drama

Playwrights may use the same elements, for instance, setting, to influence the plot and

delivery of the intended message in diverse ways. In the plays The Red Coat and Eukiah by John

Shanley and Lanford Wilson respectively, a comparison of the element of setting shows its

applicability in creating a mood that determines whether the characters in them can establish

romantic relationships among them or not. In The Red Coat, the setting is cool, and the

characters take advantage of it to form an intimate relationship with each other, while in Eukiah,

tension and a violent mood dominate to signify the existing differences between characters.

The Red Coat is a single act play that involves two characters named John and Mary,

while Eukiah is a short play that entails Bucth and Eukiah as the main characters. In the former,

although John and Mary had intimate feelings towards each other, neither of them had been bold

enough to reveal it before their encounter outside the party hall. The secluded setting gives them

ample time to kiss, which they had never done before, and John is astonished that he has the guts

to say that he loves Mary (Shanley 319). Accordingly, a calm night with an attractive moonlight,

a unique streetlight, and glittering sections of the pavements offer a setting that alleviates the

loving mood in the play.

On the other hand, in Eukiah, Butch and Eukiah’s encounter involves coercion, where

Butch strives to convince Eukiah to come out from hiding. However, Eukiah ignores the calls

until Butch calms down and talks nicely. Hence, Wilson uses Eukiah’s silence to inform the

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audience about the relationship between the two characters. The setting is such that only a door

separates Butch and Eukiah, which the former knocks on loudly and repeatedly as he urges

Eukiah to come out (Wilson 265). Knocking on the door loudly and using a high tone give the

audience the perception that Butch is furious and impatient with Eukiah, and it is confirmed

when Eukiah refuses to come out until Butch calms down and talks nicely. At this instance, the

setting yields a friendly environment that is comparable to that of John and Mary in The Red

Coat.

The setting in Eukiah is characterized by changes in mood and attitude, while it is calm

and peaceful all along The Red Coat. Upon finding John sitting outside in the night during the

party, Mary expresses concern for him and responds positively from the onset. She also reveals

her affection to John and goes further to ask him for a kiss (Shanley 319). The two come to terms

quickly, which is contrary to what would be expected of strangers. Their confessions reveal that

they yearned for an opportunity to love someone hence the reason that they preferred to spend

time together outside the party.

Tension dominates the setting in Eukiah, with Eukiah feeling scared of Butch and afraid

of coming out. He even refrains from responding to Butch despite the assurance that everything

would be okay (Wilson 266). Contrary to the case of John and Mary, the setting is characterized

by a reluctance to cooperate and lack of trust between the characters. Seemingly, Eukiah is not

convinced to cease behaving strangely because he does not trust anyone contrary to the case of

John and Mary who express trust and willingness to bond and remain as lovers.

In both plays, the setting plays a significant role in informing the audience about the

characters’ relationships and the plot. Mary meets John on a calm night and the two end up

becoming intimate friends and lovers, whereas Butch has a hard time convincing Eukiah to come

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out from hiding until he resolves to be polite although Eukiah is still reluctant and suspicious

judging from his responses.

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Works Cited

Shanley, John P. “The Red Coat.” Collected Plays. Applause, 1992.

Wilson, Lanford. “Eukiah.” 21 Short Plays: [with Autobiographical Notes. Smith and Kraus,

1993.

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