The Wild Duck Journal #3

A dramatist often crates a gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. With reference to at least two plays, discuss how and to what effect dramatists have used this technique.
In the play Oedipus there is a huge gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. Oedipus is trying to figure out how to save the people and because of this he learns the truth about his life. But before this he had no idea of his childhood or whether or not he had fulfilled his prophecy without knowing it. Oedipus learns through messengers and shepherds that he had indeed fulfilled his prophecy, by killing his father and marrying his mother. Oedipus learns of all of this at the end of the play and in effect gauges his eyes out. But while the play develops what Oedipus doesn't know is the amount of information the audience knows. The audience is aware of Oedipus' prophecy and that he had in fact carried through with it. The only thing the audience did not know was how the news would be given to Oedipus about his terrible fate.
In the Wild Duck there is also a gap between what the audience knows and what the characters know. After Gina had quit working for old Werle they had a short personal relationship. As this was kept a secret from Hjalmar, Gregers found out the truth. Hjalmar was very thankful for everything that old Werle had done for himself and his family. Gina had not old Hjalmar of her relationship with old Werle and had no intentions of telling him. When Gregers came home and found out for sure they had a relationship he knew he had to tell his old friend. Hjalmar was blinded by old Werle's good actions that he couldn't see Gina's disgust towards him. The audience was aware of this secret relationship the whole time. The dramatist uses this technique to create interest. When the audience is aware of something the characters don't, the audience is more drawn into the storyline. While the audience has some idea of what is going to happen next they do not know how it will unravel and effect the characters.