Dido and Aeneas Essay
The story of "Dido and Aeneas" was written by the English baroque composer Henry Purcell. The story is based on Book IV of Vergil's, "Aeneid." The opera tells the story of a love affair between the Prince of Troy, Aeneas and the Queen of Carthage, Dido. The act opens with Dido in her court with other women around her as she grieves, supporting her in her time of distress. Then, after a while, Aeneas enters the scene and asks for her hand in marriage, she accepts after putting much thought into the validity of his proposal.
"Mise-en-scene," a french term meaning, "placing on stage," deals with lighting, props, costumes, actors, decor, etc. "Mise-en-Scene" is not a production term, but a result of many individuals working together and forming an outcome through theater and film production. The mise-en-scene of Dido and Aeneas was designed to look like the actors stepped out of a 17th century painting. The Age of Enlightenment inspired the set and lighting, as well as the costumes for the Operatic production. This Baroque Opera was executed very well. At the beginning of the production, the lights were dim and dark within the camera frame. Since the story started out somewhat sorrow, the lighting was dreary and consistent. Most scenes within the opera had dim lighting, mainly lit with candles and torches to be as realistic as it could be for that time period. The color tones however, were vastly different from one location to the next. For example, Purcell drifted from warmer tones to cooler tones during different scenes where it was more bright and playful, instead of dreary and dark. Purcell executed the lighting effects within the color tones he used perfectly. When everything was sad, like the opening scene, there was not much contrast and the lighting was rather low and hard to point out distinct objects. When Aeneas and Dido were being married and laying down, the lighting had much more contrast (high-key, instead of the more commonly used low-key) and we could see everything clear as day. This was done purposefully to pinpoint happiness and sadness. Lighting has a huge effect on the mood of a play, or even anything. When lights are dim, everyone is calmer and quieter. When lights are bright, people may appear to be more playful and enchanting. This still holds true to this day in various aspects of our lives.
After abandoning Dido, Aeneas's life was full of suffer and pain, while Dido lived a life of despair after he abandoned her. This was a result of the Greek Army burning down their city, leading to why Aeneas fled. He fled with his father and his son, with whom he both carried. He also gathered a band of Trojans, then sailed out in a fleet of ships. The opera concludes with Dido being comforted by her sister, Belinda, due to Dido's great loss, Aeneas. She sang, "death must come when he is gone," as she walked to her own death. This was because she had to live a life without her great love. Dido's court carried a tomb made out of leaves and sticks with her in it, then proceeded to set it on fire. At almost the last breath of the opera, cupid appeared and released pink petals to represent Dido's pure heart.
"Mise-en-scene," a french term meaning, "placing on stage," deals with lighting, props, costumes, actors, decor, etc. "Mise-en-Scene" is not a production term, but a result of many individuals working together and forming an outcome through theater and film production. The mise-en-scene of Dido and Aeneas was designed to look like the actors stepped out of a 17th century painting. The Age of Enlightenment inspired the set and lighting, as well as the costumes for the Operatic production. This Baroque Opera was executed very well. At the beginning of the production, the lights were dim and dark within the camera frame. Since the story started out somewhat sorrow, the lighting was dreary and consistent. Most scenes within the opera had dim lighting, mainly lit with candles and torches to be as realistic as it could be for that time period. The color tones however, were vastly different from one location to the next. For example, Purcell drifted from warmer tones to cooler tones during different scenes where it was more bright and playful, instead of dreary and dark. Purcell executed the lighting effects within the color tones he used perfectly. When everything was sad, like the opening scene, there was not much contrast and the lighting was rather low and hard to point out distinct objects. When Aeneas and Dido were being married and laying down, the lighting had much more contrast (high-key, instead of the more commonly used low-key) and we could see everything clear as day. This was done purposefully to pinpoint happiness and sadness. Lighting has a huge effect on the mood of a play, or even anything. When lights are dim, everyone is calmer and quieter. When lights are bright, people may appear to be more playful and enchanting. This still holds true to this day in various aspects of our lives.
After abandoning Dido, Aeneas's life was full of suffer and pain, while Dido lived a life of despair after he abandoned her. This was a result of the Greek Army burning down their city, leading to why Aeneas fled. He fled with his father and his son, with whom he both carried. He also gathered a band of Trojans, then sailed out in a fleet of ships. The opera concludes with Dido being comforted by her sister, Belinda, due to Dido's great loss, Aeneas. She sang, "death must come when he is gone," as she walked to her own death. This was because she had to live a life without her great love. Dido's court carried a tomb made out of leaves and sticks with her in it, then proceeded to set it on fire. At almost the last breath of the opera, cupid appeared and released pink petals to represent Dido's pure heart.
There have been many adaptations throughout history, all similar, yet vastly different.
If I were to take the story of Dido and Aeneas and put it into a video game, I would play on the story of Shrek and Fiona when Shrek and the Donkey are in the castle trying to save Fiona. I would consider the Sorcerer as the dragon, Dido as Fiona, and Aeneas as Shrek. Aeneas would have to travel far and wide throughout Carthage while following clues that would lead him to where Dido is kept away. He would collect "pure hearts" as he advanced. He would redeem those pure hearts for clues. The clues would come from Belinda, Dido's sister. The intense scenes from the Opera would come into play and be considered different levels for Aeneas to conquer in order to level up. Since Dido was hesitant to accept Aeneas's hand in marriage due to lack of his worthiness, the game will be based upon Aeneas proving his worthiness to Dido.
If I were to take the story of Dido and Aeneas and put it into a video game, I would play on the story of Shrek and Fiona when Shrek and the Donkey are in the castle trying to save Fiona. I would consider the Sorcerer as the dragon, Dido as Fiona, and Aeneas as Shrek. Aeneas would have to travel far and wide throughout Carthage while following clues that would lead him to where Dido is kept away. He would collect "pure hearts" as he advanced. He would redeem those pure hearts for clues. The clues would come from Belinda, Dido's sister. The intense scenes from the Opera would come into play and be considered different levels for Aeneas to conquer in order to level up. Since Dido was hesitant to accept Aeneas's hand in marriage due to lack of his worthiness, the game will be based upon Aeneas proving his worthiness to Dido.
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