Hamlet

            
             Dramatic Tension In Act 1 Scene 1.
             Shakespeare is very successful at being able to create an enormous amount of dramatic tension in Act 1 Scene 1.
             Right at the beginning of the act tension is created when Barnardo says "Who's there?" this shows that it is set at a night time where it is likely to be dark and therefore Barnardo will not be able to see who the person who is in the shadows is. The darkness which is shown through the dialogue is also a major part in creating the tension in the scene. The dark is known to create mystery due to being unable to see what lurks in the shadows. It is also used as many people can relate to being scared or worried when they have been in the dark and so find it easier to understand what Barnardo is going through being in the darkness on his own. The tension is also extended when Francisco replies "Nay answer me. Stand and unfold yourself." He has replied in this way due to the wrong sentence from Barnardo he replies to this with "Long live the king!" this is what he should have said with his original sentence and so due to Barnardo saying "Who's there?" this caused confusion with Francisco and he may of thought that Barnardo was an intruder in the grounds and could have killed him without question which keeps the audience on the edge of their seats but Francisco decides to give the mystery person a second chance and gets the reply that he wanted and then recognises that it is Barnardo his compatriot and friend. Shakespeare has also used prose in the start of this scene which causes the dialogue to be fast and rolls off the tongue quickly this helps to create tension as it sounds as though it is building up to a climax.
             As the conversation between the two comes to an end Barnardo asks Francisco that if he sees the two others that he is meant to be standing watch with, Horatio and Marcellus, to tell them to hurry up. This gives the audience and idea that he is worried about something which creates tension as the wonder what he could possibly be so worried about.