How I Would Direct A View From The Bridge :: Drama

How I Would Direct 'A View From The Bridge' In this essay, I will explain how Arthur Miller creates tension and suspense in 'A View From The Bridge' by explaining the dramatic devices, props, characters etc. In 'A View From The Bridge', Arthur Miller employs various techniques to generate dramatic tension and to hold the audiences' interest. The playwright uses the setting, characters, stage directions, props, lighting, language, and setting as the main sources of drama. The characters are a vital element in the play, and are the basis of the drama. Eddie is portrayed as a well respected, hard working, ordinary man. He is dedicated to his family and is presented as an amiable character. "He was as good a man as he had to be in a life that was hard and even." Alfieri explains this at the beginning of the play, and this emphasises that Eddie is an honourable, decent person. However, as soon as a catalyst (in the form of the cousins) is introduced, another side to Eddie is revealed, and his true feelings for Catherine exposed. "What are the high heels for Garbo?" Eddie says this to Catherine, in front of the cousins, to deliberately humiliate her. Eddie sees Catherine's attentiveness towards Rodolfo and becomes jealous. This sexual jealousy grows throughout the play and the audience realize that what did seem like over-protectiveness is in fact romantic obsession and unlawful love for Catherine. This disgusts the audience and so they begin to turn against Eddie. Eddie's attachment to Catherine is his flaw. His demise is the consequence of this weakness. Eddie's fate becomes inevitable and predictable when his inability to compromise and the true extent of his fixation with Catherine becomes apparent. "His eyes were like tunnels." Alfieri says this to describe Eddie. It suggests that Eddie has tunnel vision, and can only focus on one thing - Catherine. This is evident when Eddie calls Immigration to 'snitch' on Marco and Rodolfo. It highlights Eddie's desperation and loss of rational thinking as he acts on the contrary of his own strong beliefs, which he outlined at the beginning of the play with the consequences of Vinnie Banzalo's betrayal. The characters are all involved in very tangled relationships. Beatrice is jealous of Eddie's love for Catherine. "When am I gonna be a wife again Eddie?" She is very frustrated with her husband, but he will not face the reality of the situation. Eddie expects Beatrice to support him, as wives were supposed at that time. So when Beatrice defends Catherine, Eddie cannot understand why his wife is deliberately defying him as he believes he is being perfectly reasonable. Eddie insinuates that Rodolfo is homosexual due to his apparent