Catherine is in white, representing her ‘Madonna type’ being innocent, pure and worshiped by Eddie. Rodolpho should be in jeans and shirt, so well presented in contrast with Eddie’s drunken appearance. All costumes are emphasizing the families’ ongoing poverty.
Light rises on Catherine and Rodolpho in the main stage in an apartment set up which remains for the entirety of the play. When Catherine questions Rodolpho, it is a powerful part of the play a sit expresses or questions her trust in Rodolpho. In asking “Suppose I wanted to live in Italy,” I would employ a red light to show the intensity of the situation as the question is out of the blue and would causing a dramatic pause. Rodolpho shows he has not thought about this or is being flippant by saying “You are going to marry someone rich?” There is an underlying sense he knows what is going on, but is trying not to show it must be accentuated. By showing Rodolpho’s ‘smile vanishing’ shows his shock, for he is aware that Catherine is being pressurized by Eddie, Catherine is shocked by this response and reacts with a pause creating more tension between the characters. The dialogue composed of short sentences dramatically accentuates the drama unfolding. Never before has Rodolpho been questioned, which shows the lack of thought this has had. Rodolpho and Catherine are contrasting; Catherine is serious where as Rodolpho still thinks it is a joke: “You’re fooling!” In many ways his humorous or sarcastic responses make the audience question how genuine his character is.
In this scene however, Rodolpho is shown as a logical character as shown when he tells Catherine why it is such an illogical idea. He has clearly thought about this situation and his maturity and will is emphasized as he knows the life he has escaped is for a good reason.
Catherine for the first time expresses her confused feelings for Eddie which emphasizes her innocence “I’m afraid of Eddie here.” This statement shows how the immigrants coming have changed her having respect for Eddie at the start due to the realization she fears him. The fear of Eddie’s reaction to her and Rodolpho.
As she progresses the light should get darker, showing Rodolpho’s growing frustration. When he ‘moves angrily’ he could pace up and down, this would show animalistic or predatory nature, that he is frustrated that she won’t believe him. At this stage Catherine shows be expressed as innocent being lower down, so not in a powerful position. Her body language should be defensive showing tension and she doesn’t know how he will respond, this is her protection against him.
Catherine should be presented in a confused state, similarly to how the audience will be. Eventually Catherine seems to be convinced by Rodolpho, but still shows how she is torn between Rodolpho and Eddie. Light could reflect this being a pale red or pink showing an intense atmosphere and high emotion levels. Although she is showing her fear of Eddie she is still shows her respect for him “He was good to me….I….just feel ashamed if I made him sad.” She also shows she still cares for him by ‘weeping’ this shows she is emotional with the confusion between Rodolpho and Eddie. Rodolpho in response to this significantly shows his real care and upset seeing her like this, “Oh Catherine- oh little girl.” By Rodolpho saying this seems to convince her and she does not hesitate in saying “I love you!” Nevertheless by Eddie continually being mentioned, even though he isn’t there, shows his power over them.
For the first time her confusion forces her to criticize Beatrice: “Beatrice says to be a women but-.” This shows her care for Eddie as she is insulting the women he is married to, yet is supposed to be in the same parental role as Eddie. This unexpected attack shows Catherine’s inner emotion are in great control, this is showing the audience perhaps she is too emotional for her own control in this situation.
By Catherine and Rodolpho going towards the bedroom, positioned to one side of the stage, similarly to Alferi’s office, it builds dramatic tension as the audience are both aware of the bedroom and Eddie at the other side of the stage (representing the street). The audience is in a powerful position and are aware of how vulnerable Rodolpho and Catherine are even though they are not. By having white light on the bedroom and street, with red in the main stage. These lights showing the upcoming meeting of the characters is going to be fearful, the lights give the audience an ominous and sense of impending danger.
When Eddie opens the apartment door pathetic fallacy should be used in form of a storm, this is ominous and gives a negative atmosphere. When Catherine appears Eddie’s emotion should be shown in his facial expression by smiling and being happy to see her. When he then sees Rodolpho behind her his face should show contrast and turn to anger, with a slight animalistic face.
Catherine shows her fear but her determination to tell Eddie how she feels. Catherine uses “I think” at the beginning of her sentences, highlighting she is still unsure of her emotions.
Eddie is being shown as the dominant male character; Catherine is being the typical fearful, vulnerable female. Eddie seems not to be able to handle Catherine’s true feelings. This backfires as Rodolpho stands up for her. This should be shown as if two dominant animals fighting over the prey or female. Catherine is shown her maturity by telling Rodolpho to “wait outside.” Eddie is still shown more powerful as he pins Rodolpho
Back and ‘kisses him’ this sudden attack is an attack on Rodolphos sexuality and is Eddies attempt to show Catherine he is weak and he is trying to attack his masculinity. This shows the audience that Eddie feels his masculinity is threatened by Rodolpho; this is ironic because of Eddie’s sexual problems with Beatrice. It also proves that Eddie’s obsessions are affecting his marriage.
“I’ll kill you!” highlights how Catherine has gone from feeling like Eddie could do no wrong to her wanting to kill him. At the end of the scene Eddie regains his power by being the last one to speak, Catherine and Rodolpho seem not to dare argue back at him.
Through this scene two drama mediums can be of great effect other than lightening music and tone/level of voice can be used. When only Catherine and Rodolpho are in the house quiet, passionate music can be used to contrast when Eddie arrives music should be used that is powerful, with a slow heartbeat to build dramatic tension. Voices can be used to also show contrast. At first in the first half it should be quiet and no voices raised emphasizing intimacy. When Eddie comes voices should be risen and louder.
The whole scene should produce the overall message of the play. The audience should leave seeing the male as dominant characters through until the end, where Eddies over obsessions ends tragically.
