Merlin Representation of Class

Mise-en-scéne
The costume in the extract represents class in a certain way. Arthur wears expensive armour for his costume suggesting that he is of the upper class, as only the rich could afford such an outfit. Furthermore Merlin is portrayed to be of the lower class as he merely dons rags and shawls, due to him not being affluent enough to afford anything more expensive. Moreover, the lady at the beginning off the extract wears a costume of a long, expensive and purple dress, to suggest that she is of the upper class. This is as she would need to be wealthy to afford the dress, as well as the fact that the dress is purple, a colour reserved mainly for only the most regal of people in society during the medieval time period.

Soundtrack
The dialogue within the extract represents class in a certain way. The diegetic sound of Merlin saying to Arthur "How long have you been training to be a prat, my Lord". This contradicts the stereotype that lower class surfs are respectful of the upper class. However, it supports the stereotype that the lower class are very rude and disgusting in comparison to the upper class. Furthermore, the diegetic asynchronous sound of the sheep in the marketplace as Merlin walks through the marketplace, suggests that he is of lower class by linking them together. This is supportive of the stereotype that the lower class work with livestock, and do all the dirty farming work that the upper class would not even think of doing.

Editing
The cutting techniques throughout the extract represent class in a specific way. The use of a cutaway to the reaction of Merlin's teacher as Arthur and Merlin are fighting, contradicts a common stereotype of the lower class (we know he is lower class due to his costume being similar to that of Merlin). Merlin's teacher seems disappointed in Merlin and disapproves of his use of violence, this contradicts the common stereotype that the lower class enjoy violence and are typically violent in their nature. Furthermore, the use of crosscutting between Merlin and the woman in the purple dress at the beginning of the extract, suggesting that Merlin is of the lower class and should not have been where he was at that moment in time. This is supportive of the stereotype that people of the lower class do not often belong as they do not have the same rights as someone of the upper class, that ideal is represented as the lady wears a purple dress, a colour reserved for the prestigious members of the upper class.

Camerawork
The camera angles used throughout this extract represent class in a specific way. The use of a high angle on Arthur when he falls on to the pile of sacks and to the mercy of Merlin. This contradicts the common stereotype that the upper class is dominant over the lower class, whereas in this shot Merlin who is lower class is clearly dominant. However, the closely following high angle shot of Merlin as Arthur knocks him to the floor turns everything around, making Arthur dominant over Merlin. This reinforces the stereotype that the upper class will always be dominant over the lower class no matter what, and will always end up on top.