Evaluation of the Role of Alfieri

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Evaluation of the Role of Alfieri in ‘A View from the Bridge’ In the play ‘A View from the Bridge’, Alfieri has many different roles and these are all portrayed in different contexts throughout the play. He is shown interacting with his friends and with the audience, through stage direction, and the fact that he remains on stage throughout and commentates on the play’s action, particularly with Eddie. In this respect his role is that of the chorus in a Greek tragedy, which is ever-present and, which commentates on the hero’s action. The fact that the action of the play resembles classical tragedy, Alfieri’s role as chorus seems particularly appropriate. He is omniscient, he sees everything and understands Eddie as a person and a friend rather than just a client. This makes him especially suited to the role of ‘chorus’, which traditionally gave the audience a moral point of view and draw attention to the theme of fate. A chorus never leaves the stage, and neither does Alfieri. His office is always on stage, however, the lights are made dim and in the back of the audience’s mind, they are made aware that Alfieri is always there, almost as an onlooker. His presence on the stage makes the audience feel that he is closest to what happens and therefore the most knowledgeable about the drama. “I am inclined to notice the ruins in things…” Furthermore, a chorus figure makes the audience feel pity for the hero, which in this play is Eddie. The audience might not necessarily feel pity for Eddie, but Alfieri definitely changes the audience’s opinion of him. At the beginning of the play Alfieri says, “He was as good a man as he had to be in a life that was hard and even.” This is how Alfieri introduces Eddie to the audience, which could leave them with mixed feelings for him. This remark shows that Alfieri has a good deal of respect for Eddie and yet he feels able to

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