THE WILD DUCK:
I think the setting in act 1 is a big deal because it is only in the house and there are a lot of people in the house.The stage directions create a very good picture of the house. The setting in this play is definitely a lot more modern that "Oedipus the King". "A richly and comfortably furnished study, with bookcases and upholstered furniture," This stage direction shows that the house is a very nice one. There are also servants and waiters.
The culture of this time seems to be very conscious of appearances. I can tell this because the stage directions in the beginning make it seem like the hosts are trying to hard to impress. "In from the dining room come laughter and the hum of many voices in conversation; a knife clinks upon a glass; silence; a toast is made; cries of 'Bravo'", The clinking of the glass shows that they are trying to act very upper class. They are clearly trying to impress there guests. Also later the guests seem uppity when they notice that the number of people there is one more than it usually is.
I have also noticed a lot of ambiguity in the characters speech. "Oh, Gregers, lets not talk about that." They are very good at avoiding subjects.
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