A View from the Bridge is a dramatic tragedy, which follows the life of a dockworker, Eddie Carbone, in 1950s America who is the main focus of the play. He represents the average, everyday man in society, but his character draws parallels to many tragic heroes in the past shown in Greek tragedies, Shakespeare’s plays, etc. (e.g. Hamlet and Macbeth). A tragic hero is the hero in the story who has positive and negative traits and their negative traits is what eventually leads to the demise and this
In writing A View from the Bridge', Arthur Miller wanted to create a modern Greek tragedy. An Ancient Greek tragedy was a play where fate brings about the downfall of the characters involved. It has many other generic features which Miller has incorporated into his modern version. The character of Alfieri is used in the traditional chorus role, and Eddie is often likened to a tragic hero, the main character who contributes to their own downfall through a flawed personality, typically described
Naturally, the plot follows tragic form; however, in retelling the storing, Miller adds a few twists. Miller fuses elements from Greek and Christian tragedies, all the while redefining a tragic hero. Expectedly, the main character, Eddie, exhibits a tragic flaw. Because Eddie cannot accept his responsibilities and connections to both the Sicilian-American community and his niece, Catherine, he breaks the highly respected moral code. Breaking moral law makes evident Eddie’s tragic flaw: the inability to
kings were.” (Arthur Miller) To what extent can Eddie Carbone (A View from the Bridge) and Jay Gatsby (The Great Gatsby) be considered Tragic Heroes? What evidence is there in form, language and structure to support your view? In Greek tragedies, a tragic hero is traditionally characterised by several components, a notable one being that the hero must possess a noble status. This was emphasised by Aristotle in Poetics when he specified the tragic hero as “one of those who stand out in great repute
Analysing the Portrayal of Eddie Carbone as a Tragic Hero A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller is a dramatically tense tragedy that presents the story of the downfall of an ordinary man. The play examines the tragic consequences of Eddie Carbone's inability to understand himself and his actions. This predominantly takes the form of his prejudice towards his cousin and his inappropriate attraction to his niece. It is set in the 1950s and was written while Miller had become interested in
Literature Coursework-Modern Drama What is the dramatic function of Alfieri’s character in ‘A View from the Bridge’? ‘A View from the Bridge’ is a play written by Arthur Miller. Miller’s inspiration for this play is close to his heart. He grew up in New York City; his parents were illegal immigrants into the United States looking for work. Alfieri is a key component, not only is he a character he is also a narrator. He acts as a chorus to the play and an aid to the audience. Alfieri plays many
Miller’s A View from the Bridge, originally written in 1956 as a one act play, has many features of a classic Greek tragedy. It is set in the Italian-American neighbourhood, situated in Red Hook, near Brooklyn Bridge in New York. It is in this community Miller chooses to dramatise themes of conflict, betrayal, love and obsession. The underlying omerta is present throughout the play and is the reason for the conflict as it is defied by Eddie Carbone, the Italian longshoreman, who destroys himself
How does Miller engage with social taboos within A View from the Bridge? Homosexuality, incest, tragic heroes; Arthur Miller may have written about familial relationships but his plays are not for the whole family. His play A View from the Bridge depicts longshoreman Eddie Carbone and family in Red Hook, Brooklyn as they house his wife’s immigrant cousins, with whom Eddie develops a rivalry resulting in his death. Miller juxtaposes Eddie’s attitudes towards social taboos to explore his contrasting
How does Arthur Miller successfully engage an audience with "A play with no surprise"? A view from a bridge is a play written by Arthur Miller in the 1950's. Miller wrote the play as a modern day Greek tragedy in New York Brooklyn. Arthur Miller captures the audience with a true story twisted in his own words from which emerge the controversial ideas of incest, cultural obligation and masculinity. The part in the play where Alfieri mentions it is not what but how' means that even though we know
Importance of the Role of Alfieri in A View From the Bridge First performed in 1956. Arthur Millers play 'A view from the bridge' was originally set in the 1940's and started life as a one act verse before Arthur Miller converted it to a two act play to enhance and make it more enjoyable for the audience of today. In the title 'A view from the bridge' Arthur Miller is referring to the Brooklyn Bridge which used to be the largest cable bridge in the world and its main purpose