The Role of Alfieri Essay Example

The Role of Alfieri Essay Example The Role of Alfieri Essay The Role of Alfieri Essay He also appears to be completely American, as he does not speak with an Italian accent, unlike Marco and Rodolpho. Even he admits it, when he says And now we are quite civilised, quite American. He is talking about how he has changed from when he was a Sicilian living in Sicily and how he no longer keeps a gun in his filing cabinet. Alfieri is very eloquent and sophisticated when speaking to the audience, however his language simple when addressing Eddie: I dont understand what I can do for you. Is there a question of law somewhere? Alfieri involves the audience and builds up tension within the play, preparing them for the tragedy that is about to take place. He also shows us his helplessness and powerlessness with regards to Eddies situation, by showing us that there is no way for anybody to change his mind. At the end, he delivers a powerful soliloquy to the audience that leaves us with no sympathy or feelings for Eddie. He reiterates his message in an equally powerful manner: Most of the time we settle for half and I like it better. The whole theme of power and powerlessness is very important in A View From the Bridge, for it is one of the issues that will affect the outcome of the play. Beatrice and Catherines powerlessness over Eddie only kindles the problem. If Catherine had actually stood up for herself and moved out, Eddies feelings would have surely died down and maybe even have subsided completely and he would have gained the sympathy of the audience. It is only towards the end of the play, during the final scene, that Catherine actually stand up for herself and turns on him for the first time when she says Who the hell do you think you are? Beatrice however, does not, for at this point she feels sorry for Eddie, and stands up for him: Then we all belong in the garbage. You, and me too. Dont say that. Whatever happened we all done it, and dont you ever forget it, Catherine. Now go, go to your wedding, Katie, Ill stay at home. Go. God bless you, God bless your children. Alfieri shows us Eddie as he really is. Through Alfieri we can realise Eddies true feelings and thoughts, and we have some idea of what is going to happen. Alfieris character is essential in A View From the Bridge. He is the link between the audience and the characters. He informs them about characters, the action offers unbiased opinions and builds up tension within the play. He is also the bridge between the audience and the characters, as he plays the role of the narrator. He oversees the people and the action of the play. He represents the division between law and justice, and discusses this in detail in Act 1, Scene 1: A lawyer means the law, and in Sicily, where their fathers came from, the law has not been a friendly idea since the Greeks were beaten. This informs the audience of the difference between the law in America and the law is Sicily. In Sicily, where Alfieri is from, there is a definite difference between the law and justice. In Italy, the law is for family; however in the US, it is for the government and the country. Sicilians believe that the punishment should fit the crime. Sometimes when they feel as though the law has not been sufficient, they take it into their own hands: Oh, there were many here who were justly shot by unjust men. Alfieri gives us the moral of the play, in that it is better to settle for half than to try and have it all. By doing so, he makes the audience aware of the need for compromise in life and that it is better to sacrifice one thing for something else. Alfieri also explains one of the most important themes of the play: timelessness, in that this story could have taken place at any time in history and its moral would still be the same. Alfieri is therefore the voice of Miller in A View From the Bridge, who uses him to put his opinions and thoughts across to the audience.