- Teichoscopy
Teichoscopy, also known as "Viewing from a Wall", is a dramatic technique used in plays. It describes a scene where characters observe from a wall, balcony or window on the stage some far-off event which the audience cannot see, such as armies massing in war or battles taking place. As they witness the unfolding drama, their speech reports what they see to the audience. [http://www.sacred-texts.com/wmn/rca/rca02.htm Teichoscopy] [http://www.barreland.nl/documenten/dramaturgie/pdf/messenger_reports.pdf Teichoscopy and messenger report]
The main object of teichoscopy is always the synchronous discussion of events, as opposed to events being reported later by messengers. It is a well-established technique in dramaturgy.
Natural phenomena, too, may be conveyed by teichoscopy. Far-off drama such as the sun rising, or a description of stars across the firmament lend themselves to this treatment.
The term derives from the so-called "
Teichoscopia ", an episode in Book 3 of the "Iliad " (lines 121-244) in which, from atop the walls of Troy,Helen enumerates the heroes of the Greek army forPriam .
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