Both acts contain fights where there are rises of tense atmosphere. This creates a dramatic ending for the reader, and is an incentive to read on. The point at which Eddie punches Rudolfo, he starts to go down hill. The lead character is to blame for both fights, which shows his lack of self-control. His progression of anger is publicised when he decides to fight Marco after Rudolfo, because the older sibling is stronger than his brother. His confidence has grown with his anger.
The underlying tension is not helped by the claustrophobic ethos that is becoming evermore perceptible by each character. Due to various different emotions that are being felt by most individuals in the play, there is an increasing uncomfortable atmosphere. Due to the very close community and the lack of space for the characters to breath, a pressure cooker affect is beginning to arise. Due to the fact that all the action takes place in the same area, there is a feeling of no relief and intensity within the play that is building and waiting to explode. The audience are forced to hold the whole story in their minds as the component parts are always in view – this is how close and suffocating the setting is and suspense is created for the audience as they can anticipate the effects of this proximity.
The lighting is a factor of tension that affects the audience more than the characters. When the lights shine on Alfieri, it’s like a message to the audience that he is important. This gives the reader a sense of trust that he can believe him. In future scenes with the lawyer, the atmosphere is relaxed a bit, because of his cool, calm figure. It is shown that he has control of his story ever when he, “walks into the darkness”. This illustrates that he can decide when to leave and when to begin. It is as if it is his story, and is commanding it like a director. The stage light doesn’t really change when the other characters are present because they are the story, but Alfieri is the principal individual. The natural light affects the mood of the characters, shown when Eddie and Beatrice’s argument begins, “It’s after eight.” Most of the family disputes happen at night, which could suggest that the outside light reflects the feelings of the characters. This gives an eerie feeling when day turns to night, and scenarios are running through the reader’s mind of what could happen. It seems that there is a squabble every night that the play focuses on, so the audience are expecting something to happen when the next evening comes. The audience shine their own light by what they are centring on, which is mainly Eddie. This means that the protagonist never goes unnoticed, so when he enters the scene, all eyes are on him as if he is a wanted criminal.
Although there is no background music in A View From The Bridge, sound plays and essential role in building and retaining tension. Rudolfo’s singing. It shows his effort to try and impress Catherine and this creates automatic tension, as the antagonist is unaware about Eddie’s heavy protection for Katie. The young Italian, throughout the play, never catches on to lead character’s strong guard for his niece, shown when he states, “What have I done?”. Shouting is expressed with everybody except Rudolfo. When Marco shouts, it’s his anger at Eddie and his defence for his younger brother, “Eddie Carbone!”. “He’s bowing to his passport”, is an example of her uncle raising his voice when getting impatient with Catherine. She is unable to understand what the tragic hero sees. “Well, I don’t understand when it ends”, is an example of Beatrice’s frustration with her husband. She can understand what he feels, but can’t comprehend to why he feels this way and why he enforces it. Catherine’s shouting is based on her hurt from the criticism that she is receiving from Eddie. Her unhappiness is shown when she articulates, “I don’t believe it and I wish to hell you’d stop it!”. Rudolfo doesn’t show any sign of shouting or lose of patience – he is trying to understand everyone’s issues. Everyone’s problems involve the antagonistic character, which explains why he has nothing to worry about. The shouting from the immigration bureau creates a hurried atmosphere and causes everybody, including the audience, to panic. When Beatrice and Eddie argue, the audience aren’t as bothered as if it was Marco and the protagonist because family arguments are common, and the reader knows what to expect. Especially if it is two men involved in an argument, tensions are heightened, and when the two men fight, the pathos is at its peak, because physical struggles haven’t yet happened and the unexpected could take place. But many scenes are filled with an uncomfortable ethos, as at times, no-body makes a sound, and then suddenly somebody comes up with a hesitant word or sentence to try and ease the tension. This works with the claustro-phobic setting to give an eerie atmosphere. The foghorn at the beginning signals there is danger. It could also symbolise a warning or the unexpected might happen. Laughing is a symbol of the relief of tension. It is also used to break or fill the silences during apprehensive times in the play. The audience can predict that this will increase Eddie’s anger.
Midway through the second act, the first of the two keys takes place. This act is one that greatly affects the pride of Rudolfo, and the dignity and righteousness of Eddie. This is because the tragic hero is drunk, so inevitably doesn’t think twice about holding back; after kissing Catherine, he then pins Rudolfo down and kisses him also. This a great insult to Rudolfo, as Eddie is implying that the antagonist is so feminine that it is acceptable to kiss him on the lips. However, in Catherine’s eyes, the protagonist has done an awful deed, and so it is a natural instinct to team with Rudolfo and have very little respect for her over zealous guardian. This, however, will only cause the lead character to feel more anger than ever before. This is the point at which the audience recognises that there is no point of return, and it is a certainty that tragedy is just around the corner.