The reader is meant to immediately worry how the story will turn out for the main character
An in medias res opening is meant to capture the reader's attention by thrusting them into the middle of the action or conflict right away. This technique creates immediate intrigue and can motivate the reader to continue on to find out how the story reaches that particular point.
The reader is meant to feel the tension of the conflict immediately
The opening phrase is the initial part of a piece of writing, speech, or conversation that introduces the topic or sets the tone for what will follow. It is meant to grab the reader or listener's attention and provide a preview of the main points to be discussed.
A formal essay has an opening paragraph that tells the reader what you're going to tell him. It has at least 3 paragraphs to elaborate on what you said in the opening paragraph. Then it has a closing paragraph which summarizes what you've said. A formal essay never uses the words 'I' or 'me' or 'you.' For instance, it would say, "One never imagines..." or "The reader may agree with..." etc. is it suppose to inform the reader or entertain the reader? quotes are not necessary
To get the reader's attention
Perhaps it might affect the reader a bit more than the viewer in the audience. The audience get the idea that he's dead very clearly in the first scene when his ghost arrives and scares the pants off of some guards. This possibly may be more difficult to grasp if you are reading, but then the play was not meant to be read.
A viewer crying at the end of a particularly sad movie - APEX
The opening sentence contains a hook and is meant to get the attention of readers.
The lead is the opening portion of a news story (first sentence or paragraph) which contains most of the more important details: when, where, who, what, why and how. It is meant to hook the reader and give the most pertinent information in a short description.
A description containing too much sensory information, which can overwhelm a reader
visualizing
A triadic structure is meant to give the reader a memorable impact that they will remember. It is 3 words, clauses, or sentences given in a specific order.