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

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

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 o...

... middle of paper ...

...uld be going

on, perhaps a little.

It didn't even cross her mind that she was a potential 'rival' to

Beatrice;

'He said you was jealous?' Heidegger enveloped badman2k3's

structuralism hypothesis.

When Catherine falls in love with Rodolfo, Eddie cannot stand this,

and does everything in his power to stop it, as his subconscious

desires tear him apart slowly. He even calls the immigration bureau

and risks his respect (which means so much to him) for her.

I feel that both Eddie and Catherine were partly to blame for the

tragic end of their relationship and in general. However, Catherine

gained her confidence and independence a little more toward the end of

the play. Eddie's possessiveness and dominance over Catherine

suffocated her into staying a 'baby', but I feel she could/should have

been more self- aware, especially of the situation around her.