The Visit: development of pace and rhythm

Main Conflict Development and Pacing

The Visit gradually introduces the main conflict of the play, drawing the audience into a growing sense of unease. The pacing of this development differs between acts to create dramatic tension and maintain audience interest.
The initial slow build-up of tension and mystery surrounding Claire’s intentions towards Ill is marked by a steady rhythm, enticing curiosity from both the characters in the play and the audience.
When the main dilemma is revealed—Claire’s offer to the town to kill Ill in exchange for wealth—the pace quickens, highlighting the increasing desperation and moral decay in the town.

Scene Pacing

Variations in the length and pacing of scenes contribute to the overall rhythm of the play. For example, tense and confrontational scenes provide sudden jolts of fast-paced drama, while other scenes with more casual and trivial conversations offer a breather, slowing down the pace before the next rise in tension.
The climactic scene where the town’s communal decision to murder Ill is revealed is drawn out, creating a profoundly disturbing slow rhythm that punctuates the horror of their ethical compromise.

Dialogue

The pace and rhythm of the play are largely dictated by the dialogue. For instance, the dialogue during the initial reunion of Ill and Claire is light and nostalgic, conveying a slower pace.
As the play progresses, the pace of dialogue accelerates reflecting the escalating tension among the characters and the urgency of their situation.

Use of Silence

The use of tactical silences throughout the dialogue can bring a halt to the pace, creating moments of intense anticipation and apprehension. This provides a rhythmic contrast that intensifies the dramatic effect.

Choral Elements

Friedrich Dürrenmatt uses choral elements, like the town’s brass band or the choir, to manipulate the pace and rhythm of the story. The brass band’s music starts joyfully, enhancing the merriment of the beginning of the play and then shifts to a dirge-like melody complementing the tragic turn of events, indicating the slow but sure death knell for Ill.

Use of Symbols and Motifs

Recurring symbols and motifs, such as yellow shoes, coffin, and references to Greek mythology, elicit emotional responses and contribute to the pacing by signposting important plot developments. For instance, the noticeable presence of the coffin in different scenes foreshadows Ill’s impending death, thereby raising apprehension and expectation.