Several of the words and phrases used in stage directions continue to be used in modern theatre; but a number are typical of the period, in some cases relating to the particular configuration (insofar as this can be deduced) of the Elizabethan theatre. In Shakespeare’s Words, the general convention is to relate stage directions to their immediately following lines. |
For example, the opening direction in a scene will be numbered by referring to line 1 of the scene; a direction immediately before line 42 will be numbered 42; and so on. There are two exceptions. All instances of Exit or Exeunt, including those at the ends of scenes, are numbered with reference to the immediately preceding line. And all stage directions within a line are given that line number. |