House of Trials

I think one of the conventions would be that the lines and monologues are written in verse form. It is as if they were written as a poem.  It is very reminiscent of Shakespeare’s style of writing.  I wonder if it rhymes in the original language.  I imagine if it does, then it probably loses some of its charm.  Some of the verses are written as though it was a song which was sung over and over again, such as on page 85 when the singers are singing the lines, “It is not so,” and “ It must be so.”  After which, Dona Leonor and Don Pedro repeat the same lines as though they were singing with the singers. Then Dona Ana, Don Carlos, and Castano all take turns repeating those lines.

Another one of the conventions seems to be when the characters “step aside” to tell the audience their inner thoughts.  This would also be a version of breaking the fourth wall even though they are not necessarily talking to the audience directly.   If it wasn't for the stage directions, it would be confusing to understand as such was the case with Love! Valor! Compassion!  In that play, you couldn't tell when the characters were talk to the audience or not and in this one, it was clearly marked out.   This one was clear and it was interesting to “hear” the inner voices of the characters and what they thought at the time.  It helped to understand who they thought they were with when it was dark and they were unable to see each other.  It  also made it rather melodramatic.