Once more, on pain of death, all men depart.
(Exeunt all but Montague, Lady Montague, and Benvolio.)
Even physical action, then, may interest for itself, or because it characterizes, or because it helps on the story, or for two or more of these reasons.
If we examine other extracts from famous plays we shall, however, find ourselves wondering whether action in drama must not mean something besides mere physical action. In the opening scene of La Princesse Georges, by Dumas fils, the physical action is neither large in amount nor varied, but the scene is undeniably dramatic, for emotions represented create prompt emotional response in us.
ACT I. SCENE 1
A Drawing Room
Severine, watching near the window, with the curtain drawn a little aside, then Rosalie
Severine. Rosalie! At last! What a night I have gone through! Sixteen hours of waiting! (To Rosalie, who enters.) Well?
Rosalie. Madame, the Princess must be calm.