Explain how "A View from the Bridge", by Arthur Miller, follows the conventions of tragedy.

Eddie's fatherly relationship with Catherine can also be seen in

another part of the play. At the beginning of the play Eddie is shown

as a responsible person, `Katie, I promised your mother on her

deathbed I'm responsible for you.' This shows that he wanted to look

after her and he didn't want to make a mistake. When Catherine tells

Eddie she has a job, Eddie takes it the wrong way and tells her that

it's dangerous and he makes excuses for why she can't have the job; "I

don't like the neighbourhood over there." This also shows the father

figure that he has but it also shows an overprotective role.

Eddie's relationship with other characters also shows signs associated

with the conventions of tragedy. Eddie is extremely jealous of the

relationship Catherine has with Rodolfo. `I give him my house to

sleep! I take the blankets off my bed for him, and he takes and puts

his filthy hands on her like a goddam thief'. This shows that Eddie is

jealous of Rodolfo. He treats Catherine like a possession, which is

being stolen away from him. Eddie's relationship with Catherine seems

doomed and destined to end in tragedy. There is a sense that the play

will end dramatically through spite and hate.' I could see every step

coming, step after step, like a dark figure walking down a hall toward

a certain door.' This is a description given by Alfieri. Alfieri is

the link between the audience and the play this is another convention

of a tragedy. He helps explain what is happening in the play. Here he

is describing the fact that Eddie's downfall is inevitable and that it

has something to do with Catherine.

The arrival of Marco and Rodolfo show another convention of tragedy.

Eddie starts of as a hero and very popular with his friends and

family. Eddie is popular because he has taken in two illegal

immigrants and risked himself being caught by the immigration bureau,

`Believe me Eddie, you gotta lotta credit comin' to you.' This shows

the high esteem that Eddie has gained for accommodating Marco and

Rodolfo. But when Catherine took a liking towards Rodolfo, Eddie

illustrated the jealousy he had inside him. When Catherine wears high

heels in a way to get noticed by Rodolfo. Eddie shows this flaw again;

"What's the heels for Garbo?" This shows how he is starting to be

domineering, but early in the play it still seems that he's saying it

in a kind way to her. Eddie is slowly changing as a character. His

flaws are making him change from a heroic character to a more

villainous character.

The conventions of tragedy can be seen in the process off Eddie's

downfall. Eddie changes as a character. Eddie becomes an increasingly

dark figure. At first he is welcoming and inviting, `your welcome

Marco, we've got plenty of room here'. The arrival of the cousins,

Rodolfo and Marco, who are illegal immigrants, shows Eddie being warm

and he also shows great hospitality. However, this kind character

turns into a bitter and sad person. This change can be seen in Eddie's

attitude towards Rodolfo. It becomes aggressive and deceitful, `I want

to report something. Illegal immigrants. Two of them. That's right.

Four - forty - one - Saxon Street Brooklyn...' This shows how much

Eddie has changed. He has betrayed his two guests. His reputation for

being hospitable and decent is changing to a more conniving and

desperate individual.

`A View from the Bridge' is a tragic story as the main character is

finally drawn to his death. The death is a combination of all of

Eddie's flaws put together. The death of Eddie is a result of his

jealously and increasing aggressiveness. Eddie's death also shows that

Eddie is a weak individual, `You want somethin' else Eddie, and you

can never have her!' Beatrice describes Eddie's main area of weakness.

Which is Catherine. Eddie's weakness and loss of control is also going

to cause his downfall. He is becoming more and more aggressive towards

Marco. Eddie's death follows the classic convention of tragedy as

order is once again restored after his death, `and so I mourn him I

admit it- with certain alarm.' Alfieri is describing the reaction of

the audience. We expected Eddie's death but are shocked when it

actually happens. Eddie's death brings down the final curtain on the

play.

`A view from the Bridge' follows the classic conventions of a tragedy

in several ways. Firstly, the main theme is Eddie's numerous flaws.

These flaws are to do with his jealously and over protectiveness over

Catherine. These main flaws are connected to the change in Eddie's

character. Eddie becomes more aggressive and an increasingly darker

figure. This change in the character is related to the main convention

of tragedy, which is the death of Eddie the main character. Eddie is

the central character who shows all the typical signs of tragedy. The

final horrific event is the ultimate convention of tragedy. The

audience half expects this death, but it is still shocking.