A view from a bridge character roles

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A View From A Bridge

Explore the roles of....

Alfieri

Highlights the difference between law and justice

He makes us consider both law and justice with his end speech

Acts as a bridge between audience and characters, the past and present, wealthy and poor

Acts as a Greek chorus, dictates the action and comments on the action

Framing device, he starts and ends the play, and moves on time in the play

Foreshadows Eddies destiny- compares him to 'Caesar' and 'his eyes were like tunnels'

He moves on the action by putting the idea of immigration in Eddies mind- this gets Eddie closer to fulfill destiny

Eddie

Tragic hero- he is a modern tragic hero- The tragic heroes in Greek plays had to be from higher class

Exploration of the importance of family and marriage- sleeps on floor so Beatrice's father could have his bed- Let the cousins stay at theirs despite the fact they could get in trouble

To show manhood was like at the time- patriarchal society

Justice and law, makes audience reexamine what they think about justice and law

Vinny Bolzano story- Eddie knows what would happen if he followed law but his hamartia clouded his views of reality

Beatrice

Shows the importance of family

Highlights patriarchal society

Acts as peacemaker and mediator- she diffuses tension which makes tension bigger next time

SHe reveals and accentuates Eddies hamartia- she tries to make Catherine independent

Loyalty- stays with Eddie to the end

Instrumental in particular moments of tension- (Its been 3 months) shows us their failing marriage and reveals Eddies hamartia

Catherine

Shows that people change, and you can not keep people the same as Eddie wanted to

Highlights patriarchal society

Reason for Eddies hamartia without her existence, Eddie would not have his downfall

Her rejection of Eddie in favour of Rodolpho brings about Eddies downfall

She creates moments of tension by liking Rodolpho against the wishes of Eddie- (they dance)

Rodolpho

Without Rodolpho Catherine would not have fallen in love and caused Eddie's hamartia

He shows alternative views of masculinity- makes the audience question who is the real/bigger man

American Dream

Love and forgiveness- he loves Catherine so much he is willing to forgive Eddie in order to be able to love Catherine

Marco

Family- he has left his wife and children in order to get more money to send back to them who (eat sunshine)

Stereotypical view of manhood (he's a regular bull)

Without Marco there would be no death of Eddie

He makes us examine the validity of law and justice- did Marco have the right to kill Eddie?

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