The play A View From The Bridge' was written by Arthur Miller, the famous American playwright. The play was first shown in 1956, and was originally called The Hook. This was a good name because Eddie seemed to be hooked into the situation, and could not get out. However, the name A View From The Bridge' highlights Alfieri's and the audiences position, as though they were watching the events unfold from a bridge, and not interfering with the play. The setting, Red Hook in New York was written as a fictional area, and the setting was very similar to many Italian- American harbours at the time. This area is based strongly on honour and justice, and several cases would be taken into peoples own hands, instead of them using the law.
An Italian- American longshoreman, Eddie Carbone, lives with his wife, Beatrice, and his niece, Catherine. They are a typical 1950's working class family of the Depression era.They are all Italian- Americans, and this is their families second generation in America. Beatrice's cousins Marco and Rodolpho, immigrate from Italy, and live illegally in Eddies apartment. Rodolpho and Catherine fall in love, against Eddie's will, and this gradually tears the family apart. This results in Eddie betraying his code of honour, and reporting Marco and Rodolpho to the immigration bureau. Marco and Rodolpho are arrested, and as they are dragged out of the apartment, Marco spits into Eddies face. He also accuses Eddie of killing his children. Marco and Rodolpho are both let out on bail. Rodolpho proposes to Catherine, and she accepts. They want to get married before Rodolpho is trailed, so he can become and American citizen, so he more rights. This angers Eddie even more and he wants them to be apart. Marco comes to Eddies apartment, and Eddie goes outside and meets him. They fight and Eddie pulls out a knife. Marco turns the knife and kills Eddie.
This play involves a mid 20th century man, in the mode of a classic Greek tragedy. It is...