Arthur Millers play 'A View from the Bridge'

At the start of the play Eddie gives us the impression of being an over protective guardian. But at the arrival of Rudolpho and Marco, his feeling change towards Catherine and he shows a more incestuous and jealous part of his nature. A relationship soon forms between Catherine and Rudolpho. Eddie is actually jealous of their relationship as he sees Catherine moving further and further out of his life. He quickly becomes griped by a powerful passion for Catherine and takes every opportunity to put Rudolpho down and make assumptions on his character by saying 'he ain't right' and accusing him of just being after his papers.

Catherine makes it clear that she is going to marry Rudolpho no matter what Eddie's opinion of him is. Eddie is now desperate and kisses Rudolpho to try and prove that he is in fact gay. This only angers Catherine more and she drifts emotionally further away from Eddie. Taking the last and most dishonourable resort, Eddie phones up the immigration beuro and betrays Rudolpho to them. Not only putting Rudolpho in danger of being shipped back but Marco as well.

Beatrice is extremely unhappy with the situation between Catherine and Eddie. She sees that Eddie has developed stronger feeling towards Catherine than is acceptable in an Uncle/Niece situation. She warns Eddie on many occasions to leave Catherine to grow up on her own and to stop treating her like a baby. Beatrice accepts that Catherine has to make her own choices in life and should be allowed to learn from her own mistakes. This is why Beatrice encourages her to get a job and to ignore Eddie's comments about Rudolpho.

Eddie's infatuation with Catherine takes its toll not only on the general attitude towards his wife but also on their sex life. Beatrice informs us that it has been three months since they have made love.

Running throughout the play Alfieri acts as a chorus and as the local lawyer that Eddie goes to for advice. Alfieri has in the past represented Eddie's father in an accident case some years before so has formed a casual acquaintance with the family.

When Eddie first went to see Alfieri his eyes were like tunnels, he was possessed by a passion that was unknown to him and he was afraid of what he was trying to do.

Alfieri tells Eddie that he only deals in what can be proved. Eddie is unhappy with this answer and tries to persuade Alfieri that there is something he can do. Alfieri's only response is to tell Eddie that he has too much love for Catherine and that she has to grow up and go away and he learn to forget, 'Because after all Eddie what other way can it end? Let her go. That's my advice. You did your job, now it's her life; wish her good luck, and let her go.' Alfieri's other point is the manner in which Rudolpho entered the country, but Eddie recoils in horror at the idea.

Alfieri knows that Eddie will not take his advice, he can see what is going to happen and there is nothing anyone can do to stop it.

Eddie instantly dislikes Rudolpho because of his relationship with Catherine. Soon Eddie becomes displeased with Rudolpho's behaviour, his singing, cooking and dress making. He says that the docks are no place for him. This is because Eddie is embarrassed by him; the workers nickname for him is 'paper doll' as he sings there.

Eddie is under the impression that Rudolpho is trying to steal Catherine from him, he is annoyed that Rudolpho didn't ask his permission to go out with her. He says to Alfieri that Rudolpho is gay, mainly because of his platinum hair and his attitude. He believes that the only reason he is seeing Catherine is because he wants his papers to become an American citizen.

Eddie's behaviour towards Rudolpho is hostile. He takes every opportunity to insult and degrade him. He offers to teach him to box but uses this only as an excuse to hit him at the end. Later on in the play when Eddie has been drinking he kisses Rudolpho on the mouth to try and teach him what he really is. He then tells Rudolpho that he must leave alone, so a room is rented upstairs for him.

At the climax of the play the immigration officers call around the house. Eddie realises what he has done and tries to get Marco and Rudolpho out of the building. He is too late and both are taken away. Beatrice is shocked and disbelieving when she realises that this is Eddie's doing, but Eddie denies it ferociously. Marco also realises that it is Eddie's fault and accuses him in front of the on-looking people before spitting in his face. Eddie swears he will kill Marco if he doesn't apologise.

Just before the wedding Eddie and Marco come face to face. Eddie is still furiouse and demands an apology in front of the neighbourhood. They both start to fight as Marco refuses. Eddie then brings out a knife and lunges it at Marco. Marco only twists Eddie's arm around and plunges the knife into him.

For Eddie there was no way out. He was being ruled by his passion. For him pride is everything, to be degraded by Marco in front of his friends and his family was the thing which dented his pride most. He felt that without his pride, and his respect that he was nothing.

From the beginning Alfieri said it would happen as he predicted. So Eddie had a destiny, and a fate.

,186 words

By Hayley Lewis (10P)