In what ways is 'A view from the bridge' like a Greek tragedy?

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Introduction

In this essay I will be explaining in what ways "A View from the Bridge" is like a Greek tragedy by exploring what Eddie's tragic flaw is and how it influences his actions, sending him on a path of self-destruction that eventually leads to his tragic downfall. I will also be explaining which of the other characters and key events in the play have the biggest impacts on Eddie and his downfall.

In the opening scene of the play, the audience is shown the setting of the play, which is the harbour area of Brooklyn near the Brooklyn bridge. When it shows Eddie with Beatrice and Catherine their use of dialogue initially suggests to the audience that they get along well and that there is a general 'happy family' atmosphere. The scene gives the audience the impression that Eddie is a good man who seems perfectly happy with his life since he has the dignity of a job that he likes and the love of his family. The audience also find out that Eddie is not related to Catherine which is an important fact to remember about him. Even though Eddie is not Catherine's real father he is still extremely over-protective of her, which suggests he may feel a bit too strongly for her and it is this love which is in fact the tragic flaw that eventually leads to his downfall. But this unlawful love does not come out into the open until it is sparked off by a metaphorical catalyst in the form of Beatrice's cousin Rodolpho. The first hints of this love that are given to the audience are when they see Eddie's obsession with the way Catherine dresses, for example when she comes in wearing a new dress and he says:

" I think it's too short "

He then goes on picking about the way she walks, by saying:

 " Katie, you are walkin' wavy! I don't like the looks they're givin' you in the candy store. And with them new high heels on the sidewalk - clack, clack, clack. The heads are turnin' like windmills."

This just proves that Eddie doesn't like Catherine wearing clothes that attracts the attention of other men because he gets jealous as he wants her to himself. When Eddie talks about Beatrice's cousins coming to stay as illegal immigrants he tells the story of Vinny Bolzano, about how he called the immigration bureau thus betraying his family and therefore turning his back on the Sicilian codes and values.

Reece Ryan 10L Page 2

This is ironically prophetical of Eddie's own treachery later in the play. 

When Beatrice's cousins Marco and Rodolpho arrive to stay the audience can see the type of man Eddie is, as when he meets the brothers for the first time he is friendly to both, but he warms quickly to Marco, a man's man and superficially like Eddie. Also when Marco

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"raises a hand to hush"

Rodolpho we read that Eddie

"is coming more and more to address Marco only."

He is made uneasy by the talkative young man with his unusual blonde hair. Later as Catherine becomes attracted to Rodolpho, Eddie immediately seeks to discredit his rival, which is in fact the start of his tragic downfall. In Rodolpho's case, Eddie quickly finds a 'reason' for this. Rodolpho is slightly-built, blonde, a good singer and dancer and he can cook as well as make dresses. For the most part Mike and Louis seem to share Eddie's view, for instance ...

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