Miller uses Alfieri to fore-tell the outcome of tragedy, “To meet a lawyer….on the street is unlucky. We’re only thought of in connection with disasters”. Alfieri predicts the outcome of a violent ending, “and watched it run its bloody course”. Through Alfieri, Miller is telling the audience what to expect so that they are able to understand and think more deeply about the message and the meaning, therefore not just worrying about what happens next.
In the first scene, the audience learns more about Eddie’s character- He is very over-protective towards Catherine. He doesn’t approve of her dress and the fact that she has got a job in the docks. He loves and idolises her but it is not a healthy relationship. She is gullible, innocent and oblivious to his feelings towards her in the beginning. Alfieri’s commentary is necessary, because Miller is using him again, to colour the audience’s view on the situation. The picture he gives of Eddie is, an honest man, hardworking and reliable. In effect, the speech is justifying Eddie’s forthcoming actions.
Soon after the cousins arrive, an underlying tension develops. Eddie notices Rodolfo and Catherine are growing fond of each other and because of his possessiveness towards Catherine he becomes very jealous. Throughout the scene Beatrice is observing Eddie’s reactions and becomes suspicious and irritated with Eddie. “In passing, she gives Eddie a cold look”. Catherine is also infuriated by Eddie’s demand to take off her high-heeled shoes. “Embarrassed now angered, Catherine goes out”. Overlooking the situation, Alfieri concludes the first part of the scene. He tells the audience that, even though, Eddie is an ordinary, hard working, family man, he is set on a pre-ordained path of inevitability which will have a tragic ending, “Carbone had never expected to have a destiny”. The effect of this raises the tension among the audience. They are now expecting and waiting for the climax of the play.
Towards the end of act one, Eddie visits Aflieri for legal advice and Alfieri plays the dual role of the lawyer and the commentator. His character is used by Miller for three purposes; Insight in to Eddie’s feelings towards Catherine, to be given the voice of reason-possibly Miller’s views on Eddie’s dilemma and to reinforce the fact, that there is no positive way out for Eddie.
When Eddie seeks Alfieri’s advice, he knows that his feelings and comments will be kept confidential by Alfieri, being a well respected lawyer. He therefore speaks freely, confiding his fears that Rodolpho is a homosexual, who is only using Catherine as an opportunity to stay in the country. “ Even my wife, I didn’t exactly say this”. He also reveals his unhealthy passion for Catherine when he says, “ He’s stealing from me!” and “It’s breakin’ my heart”. Using Alfieri, Miller has been able to display the degree of intensity Eddie feels.
Alfieri, as a lawyer deals with Eddie in a very calm and professional manner. He gives a kind interpretation and subtle hint of where Eddie is going wrong with Catherine. “There’s too much, (love) and it goes where it mustn’t”
Eddie was so fixed on his feelings and motive, “his eyes were like tunnels”, that no matter what or how Alfieri was implying to Eddie; to help him understand his pointless case, his well meant advice and observant comments were not acknowledged whatsoever. After Eddie leaves, Miller’s use of Aflieri is justified again, on talking to the audience about his fears for Eddie. “Walking down a hall to a certain door”, “I knew where he was going to end”
The atmospheric tension is doubled on stage and off, when Alfieri is frustrated about the fact that, “Being an intelligent man, I was so powerless to stop it” This statement projects to the audience how severe the end result will be for Eddie, as even a professional can’t even help him. “I even went to a certain old lady in the neighbourhood” and “She only nodded and said, pray for him”.
The tension is also increased by Miller’s occasional use of poetical description, “Like a dark figure, walking down a hall towards a certain door” The audience immediately receives a complementing image, corresponding to this description, again, increasing the tension.
Opening Act Two, time has passed and there is a sudden change of tone in the play. It is Christmas and things seemed to have settled. Alfieri introduces slight humour into the scene, “Slipped from a net……….As a case of Scotch Whiskey is inclined to do on the twenty third of that December”.
A few moments previously, the audience was gripped by a powerful build up of dramatic tension. When Alfireri opens Act Two the humour instantly breaks the tension, his appearance, therefore, brings the audience back down to a calm state. I believe the motive behind this technique is to let the audience know that tension is constantly mounting but to bring them back to a neutral feeling so they don’t become clouded by the drama that has just taken place, allowing them to proceed with analysing and absorbing the message and themes of the play.
Since Eddie’s last consultation with Alfieri, his views and feelings have become even stronger now that Rodolfo and Catherine speak of marriage. He goes to Alfieri once again, thinking that he will be able to advise him on his problems. Alfieri repeats, “His eyes were like tunnels”. Eddie’s feelings and forthcoming actions are now so fixed in his mind; Alfieri can see that whatever he could say to approach the situation would be pointless. He argues and remonstrates with him but he knows that he is powerless to alter Eddie’s mind.
Marco has been arrested following Eddie’s report to immigration. Alfireri is the acting lawyer and advises Rodolfo and Marco. Marco is livid with anger from his betrayal. Alfieri explains that he can bail Marco out, but only on the condition that he will not retaliate towards Eddie’s actions, “but I’m not going to do it ..Unless I have your promise”.
When he realises from Alfieri’s wise words that there is no chance of him staying in the country on a permanent basis. He explains that until his court hearing arises, (six weeks) he has two options; to stay in the prison or work.
Marco decides to keep the peace. Miller uses Alfieri to explain the legalities of the situation to Marco and the audience. Marco’s conflict is between wanting to earn money for his family and to attend the wedding, but also his need to retaliate, revenge and protect his honour, “He degraded my brother. My blood”. Alfieri seems to understand and sympathise with Marco but as he knows there is nothing he can do, he advises to be practical and conform to the law. This sympathy reflects Miller’s understanding of the struggle both Eddie and Marco endure and prepares the audience for the final eruption.
At the end of Act two there is a climax of passion and violence. The action evaporates and finally Alfieri is left once more to sum up and finalise this conflict. He opened the play and throughout, he has narrated significant parts and now he is finishing his role as the story teller. It is important to the structure of the play to bring a balanced ending and without Alfieri’s concluding words, it would have seemed unfocused to the audience. Alfieri’s closing speech is Miller’s final view on human nature and instinct. Alfieri explains that most of us live an ordinary, controlled life, “We settle for half”, while some individuals act on their feelings and follow their passions, “Himself purely”. Both Miller and Alfieri admire this in Eddie, but recognise that it is dangerous, “with a certain……… alarm”.
Alfieri’s character is undoubtedly successful. He is one of the most significant elements of the play because, with his input and narration the audience have been able to think very deeply about Miller’s message and also to experience the frustration Alfieri has for Eddie, “I was powerless to stop it”. On the occasions when he addresses the audience, discussing a moment in the play, he is forming a mutual friendship with them- almost tapping into their feelings, so when he expresses an emotion towards them they can familiarise with him. This captivates the audience right into the frustration, passion and intensity of the play, making them experience the feelings of every character. Without Alfieri, the play would not be as ‘rich’ and original in its presentation.
