improved sound paragraph for Merlin

A lot of non-diegetic and diegetic sounds are used to show the difference in social classes within different parts of the sequence. For example at the beginning of the sequence when Merlin is looking through the woman’s room, the music that is playing is eerie and sinister which connotes that as a lower class citizen, he shouldn’t be in there. Music/ soundtrack being played is an example of a non-diegetic sound and gives the audience an idea of what kind of emotions we should be feeling in order to relate to whats going on.In this case, the audince should be feeling a bit on edge and should have some anticipation for what wil happen to Merlin when he gets caught by the lady walking towards the room in which he should not be in. The music could also be seen as being a parallel sound as it fits and compliments whats happening on screen with the emotions/feelings of the audience. This music would have been added in the later part of the production process.
Foley Sound is the reproduction of everyday sounds, they are sounds that arent supposed to be noticed as the audience probably comes across them on a day to day basis. An Example of this could be the unlocking of the door (resulting in Merlin suddenly jolting back, reinforcing the idea that he knows he should be/ isnt worthy of being in there).


The use of diegetic sounds is part of the diegesis and helps to give the scene a more life like a realistic effect, the sounds are more natural. In the sequence where we are placed in the town; the goats/sheep “bah”ing suggests that peasants are mainly farmers and need to work hard. The sound of the animal is also an example of an ambient sound, adding a sense of verisimilitude to the scene.
The Diegetic sounds also suggests a difference in wealth and class. The echoes of the woman’s footsteps on the floor as she walks to her room shows the wealth because firstly, the echoes would only come from a stone floor something the peasants wouldn’t have been able to afford. Secondly, the echoes themselves show the vastness of the castle. In contrast, the footsteps in the town make dull thuds, maybe squelches, showing that the ground the people are walking on is mainly mud and/or dirt showing they live in poor conditions.

Dialogue used by some of the characters helps to portray their higher status over others; the prince for example will say what he wants, what he thinks, showing he doesn’t need to worry about consequences. The shouting at of the end of the sequence again shows authority; the old man shouting at Merlin explains that he shouldn’t have done what he did, suggesting that he is more important and is above him in terms of hierachy. To enhance that idea, in the end after snapping back and responding to the old man (perhaps giving off the idea that he feels he should be seen just as equally as important and has the right to speaking his mind) Merlin goes silent, in effect backing down and willing to accept what the old man is saying.