Alfieri is the first character on stage. He begins by introducing the situation in his neighbourhood, describing the uncertainty of the Law felt by many of the immigrants from Sicily, describing it as unfriendly. Then he states that justice is important to the people of the community, suggesting that the Law has its restrictions, and what people would call ‘True Justice’ can often be against the law. Alfieri is the second most important role in the play. He is in some of the action as Eddie does visit him. These visits are essential, as it explains how he has come to know the story. Miller used Alfieri as an equivalent to a classic Greek tragedy's chorus. In ancient plays, the chorus was a person, or group of people, who would watch the action, comment on it and address the audience directly. Alfieri introduces action as a retelling of events already in the recent past. By giving details of place, time or date, he enables the action to move swiftly from one 'episode' to another. Alfieri, being both a character and the narrator, has only a limited amount of 'live' stage time, and spends most of his stage time in voiced thought to the audience. His main function in the story is to represent the law, and reason. He seems to be playing Eddie's good-conscience, warning Eddie before he moves off to call immigration of the consequences. He also represents the remoteness of the law, with his separate stage-area, and his interactions on stage only extending to Eddie.
Eddie and the audience see Alfieri as the voice of reason and sanity. He has also got the view from the bridge. He analyses this view and portrays it through his own advice and opinions, which we believe because he is a lawyer. Lawyers are seen as rational, a man of justice, honesty and a judge of character. In my opinion Alfieri is similar to the Friar in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, a fatherly figure at times.
Alfieri 'knows' Eddie slightly "I represented his father in an accident case some years before and I was acquainted with the family in a casual way." Because of this, Alfieri secretly treats Eddie as a relative of his own always warning him and advising him. But Alfieri is not always independent on his own thoughts "I even went to a certain wise old woman and I told her, and she only nodded and said 'pray for him' and so I waited here. But as Eddie contemplates the betrayal, Alfieri reads Eddie's mind and can see what fate Eddie has got so warns him of the consequences if he tells Immigration.
Both Catherine and Beatrice are likeable characters, but, Beatrice is much more stable in herself. Whereas the young Catherine is uncertain about things, Beatrice is much more mature and has a clear view of matters, including law and justice. She only shows her fear for the law when the Immigration Officers arrive. She holds her head in her hands and reflects on the fact that she, to a certain extent, put Marco and Rodolpho in this situation and the fate they await. She does however, tries to defend the pair by telling the Officers of the difficulties they go through in Italy, and that they are doing no harm. This protective behaviour is a complete contrast of her views on law in Act One. She says: "…if they pick him up, they pick him up that’s all…" Showing at this stage she is more attached to her relationship with Eddie than with Rodolpho, and that she is not worried if they get sent back to Italy.
Catherine is much more concerned with being in love with Rodolpho that she doesn't realise what would happen if the law caught up with them. Its only when the Officers knock at the door does she realise the horror of not seeing Rodolpho again. She also becomes conscious that Eddie has betrayed them. Catherines role in the tragic ending is to try and stop Eddie from getting hurt. When he's stabbed, she forgets the betrayal and comforts him and explains: "Eddie, I never meant to do nothing bad to you." This shows she is sorry if her relationship with Rodolpho somehow caused this.
Eddie's attitude to the law and justice is very committed throughout the play. He is nearly always paranoid about Marco and Rodolpho's welfare and the chance they might get 'picked up'. He also visits Alfieri who is a friend and a man of the law to Eddie. For example, he visits Alfieri to discuss Rodolpho's relationship with Catherine, and refuses to let Alfieri to speak until he has expresses his own thoughts and views. Eddie's view on the law is a very serious one. "Will you listen a minute, I'm talkin' about then law." This quote shows that his view is that law and justice is the top priority over anything else. Eddie is the main cause of the tragic ending. He is jealous of Catherine, so decides to call Immigration, causing Marco and Rodolpho to be arrested. Also causing Marco to be feeling very betrayed and spits at Eddie. This act of disgust towards Eddie is the 'spark' needed to trigger the anger between them. Eddie's role in the ending is to try and prove that he is not what Marco had said him to be earlier. Eddie needed his respect back. He is also, once stabbed, seen as a 'fool' by the others (neighbours) and Marco, for thinking he can get back his name and reputation. But Beatrice and Catherine's immediate reaction is to hold and comfort him, as though he was a shrine.
Marco's attitude to the law is that he did not think of the law as THE LAW, more as vague rules that aren't enforced, guidelines more than anything 'Where is the law? Is it in a book, is it written down?' He becomes disillusioned with the law as soon as the Immigration officers take him in. He finally realises that the law is completely against him and that he will have to leave America again, and the money from his job in the dockyard will cease when Alfieri explains his situation directly to him. Marco then makes his decision to confront Eddie. Ironically, when Marco stabbed Eddie it was technically self-defence, putting him on the correct side of the law.
Rodolpho is in love with America from the minute he steps off the boat, even commenting of Eddie's house 'And they said they were poor!' The law does not play a role in his life until the Immigration officers arrive. By this time he has a promise of marriage from Catherine, so therefore the law does not necessarily apply to him. He simply carries on as normal.
