In five terse lines Shakespeare establishes that it is nighttime and cold ("unfold yourself" means "draw back your cloak"), that the speakers are soldiers on guard, and that there is tension in the air. With just fifteen words – eleven of them monosyllables – he has the audience's full, rapt attention. —Shakespeare: The World as Stage, Bill Bryson What does this passage reveal about William Shakespeare the playwright? Shakespeare’s plays are captivating, even though he uses so many words. Shakespeare does not use enough words to create the setting and fully engage the audience. Shakespeare masterfully sets the scene with words; he does not need scenery or effects. Shakespeare’s plays suffer from the lack of scenery on the stage.