Meaning: This quote is attributed to Richard Brinsley Sheridan, an Irish playwright and poet who lived from 1751 to 1816. The quote illuminates Sheridan's approach to engaging an audience by capturing their attention and setting the scene in a concise and effective manner. In this quote, Sheridan emphasizes the use of a clock striking to create a sense of urgency and captivate the audience's attention from the very beginning. By doing so, he avoids the need for a prolonged description of the rising sun and the process of gilding the eastern hemisphere, thus saving time and ensuring that the audience's focus remains on the unfolding events of the play.

Sheridan's emphasis on the clock striking not only serves to capture the audience's attention but also marks the time within the play, setting the scene at four o'clock in the morning. This specific time of day creates a certain mood and atmosphere for the audience, as it suggests the early hours of the morning when most people are still asleep. The choice of this early hour may hint at the unfolding events being significant or disruptive enough to warrant such an early awakening. Additionally, by setting the scene at this time, Sheridan avoids the need for a detailed description of the rising sun and the gilding of the eastern hemisphere, allowing the action of the play to take center stage without unnecessary distractions.

Sheridan's approach to opening a play with a striking clock demonstrates his understanding of the importance of capturing the audience's attention from the outset. By creating a sense of urgency and marking a specific time within the play, he effectively sets the stage for the unfolding events while also avoiding unnecessary descriptions that may detract from the main narrative. This quote reflects Sheridan's skill in crafting engaging and efficient openings that immediately draw the audience into the world of the play.

In addition to capturing the audience's attention, the use of a striking clock can also serve to create a sense of anticipation and suspense. The ticking of the clock and the marking of time can imbue the opening moments of the play with a palpable energy, hinting at the imminent arrival of significant events. This can help to build tension and intrigue, drawing the audience further into the unfolding story and setting the tone for the dramatic events that are about to take place.

Overall, Sheridan's quote underscores the importance of a compelling and efficient opening in capturing the audience's attention and setting the scene for the events to come. By using a striking clock to mark the time and create a sense of urgency, he bypasses the need for lengthy descriptions and instead focuses on drawing the audience immediately into the world of the play. This approach not only showcases Sheridan's skill as a playwright but also highlights the significance of the opening moments in engaging and captivating an audience.