Another role of Alfieri is a lawyer in the play. “We’re only thought of in connection with disasters”. Alfieri says this in the prologue. This tells us straight away that the play is a tragedy and that something bad will happen in the play. Another thing we are told is that the tragedy cannot be prevented. “another lawyer, quite differently dressed, heard the same complaint and sat there powerless as I, and watched it run its bloody course.” This portrays the Greek idea of fate and destiny, which cannot be avoided or prevented. It shows that tragedy has happened before, in the same form, many years ago, and that each time it happens, although we know the outcome we cannot prevent it. In many of his speeches he says how, “There are times when you want to ring an alarm, but nothing has happened”, and he also mentions how “I could have finished the whole story that afternoon”, which shows that he could have prevented the events, but his position as a reputable lawyer prevented him from doing so. This would have meant breaking client confidentiality, and one of his main roles is to project the American idea of law and order. There are many ways he could have prevented the tragedy, for example reporting Marco and Rudolfo to immigration so that they were removed from the country, or he could have not granted Marco bail, which would have prevented Eddie’s death. However this would not then fit the Greek idea of fate, and Eddie’s destiny would have been altered, which is not correct according to early Greek tragedies.
His position as a lawyer also means that the audience trusts him, which aids in his purpose of influencing their opinions. “If Eddie, as we see him, appeals to our hearts, Alfieri makes sure we also judge with our heads” (quotation from ). He provides the facts for the audience to make their own judgement and the audience trust Alfieri because he is impartial to the events that take place in the play. Also, his position as a lawyer means he is well educated and well spoken, which conflicts with Eddie who speaks very colloquially, “I’m tellin’ you you’re walkin’ wavy”. This comparison makes the audience feel that Alfieri is sensible and that he is correct in his beliefs. He is also Italian which is very important to the events within “A View from the Bridge”. The Italians have very different ideas of justice from Americans, which is shown in the play. Throughout the play Alfieri states the laws of America, to show the contrasts with the views of Eddie and Marco, “Such a promise is dishonourable,” says Marco to Alfieri. The Italians have a very strong belief in honour and justice, so Marco believes that it is dishonourable to make a promise that he does not intend to keep. He also feels that Eddie disgraced his name, so he needs to obtain justice by killing Eddie. However Alfieri contrasts these views by saying, “Yes in a book, there is no other law.” This shows that as a lawyer his role in the play is to inform the characters and audience of the law, and to show the contrasts with the Italian views of honour and justice. However he later steps out of this role to convince Marco not to kill Eddie, when he says “Only God makes justice” This shows the Catholic view that Italians hold, that God will amend any former sins at the end of the world. He tries to persuade Marco that God will punish Eddie for his betrayal, but Marco insists that he must gain justice, which shows how Italians are very emotional, whereas Alfieri acts phlegmatically and unemotionally through most of the play. The Italians believe that if another person disgraces their name, that person should be punished. Eddie particularly shows this when he says, “Wipin’ my name all over the neighbourhood like a dirty rag! I want my name Marco”, as said to Marco in the final dispute between them. Eddie also acts by his emotions, but as Alfieri says as a conclusion to the epilogue, “I will love him more than any of my sensible clients.” Alfieri feels this because, despite his legally correct role, in his heart he is Italian and he admires people who act from their heart, not their brains.
Throughout the play Alfieri has two main roles. These are to act as the chorus that is traditional to Greek tragedies, and as a lawyer. This first role enables him to communicate with the audience, inform them of any action which takes place beyond the boundaries of the stage and to influence their interpretation of the character’s actions and to aid them in forming judgements about the characters and the events to come. The second role allows Miller to show the contrasts between the spontaneous actions of Marco and Eddie and the politically correct way in which Alfieri acts. It also allows Miller to create a bond of trust between the audience and Alfieri, which is vital if he is to fulfil his purpose as the chorus. Without this trust the audience would not believe Alfieri and would not feel that his opinions were impartial and correct, which would then lead to the failure of the chorus, and the failure of Miller’s aim to create a modern equivalent of a Greek tragedy. Another important thing to aid with this is the fact that the audience can perceive Alfieri, not just as an actor on the stage, but as a human with feelings and opinions which he holds throughout the play. These are made more realistic by the fact that sometimes he does not entirely understand why he feels this way, but he knows they are genuine, “I admit it - with a certain … alarm.”
