A View from the Bridge Character Analysis
Beatrice: Plot: Act 1 a) Supports Catherine’s request to be allowed to take a job, “Listen, she’s gotta go to work sometime”, and then hints at the perverse nature of their relationship to Eddie, “she’s seventeen years old, you gonna keep her in the house all her life”. She comments on other similar issues to support her claim, “First is was gonna be when she graduated high school, so she graduated high school. Then it was gonna be when she learced stenographer, so she learned stenographer.
So what’re we gonna wait for now? ” b) She quickly turns ecstatic when she hears of her cousins arrival to America.She compliments Eddie’s generosity and the goodness in him by calling him an “angel”. This heightens the pattern of tragedy. When Marco and Rodolpho arrive, she welcomes them with generosity of a good host. c) Has a confrontation with Eddie over their deteriorating marriage and his relationship with Catherine.
She questions him, “when am I gonna be a wife again”, which shows a subtext of jealousy of his obsession with Catherine. Beatrice is tired of Eddie’s obsession with Catherine and his refusal to let her grow up, “you gonna stand over her till she’s forty”.Beatrice see’s his obsession as the main cause for their marriage problems. d) Beatrice then has a confrontation with Catherine over her relationship with Eddie after Eddie confronts Catherine about her relationship with Rodolpho. She tries to convince Catherine that she isn’t “a baby any more” by pointing out that she shouldn’t “sit on the edge of the bathtub talkin’ to him when he’s shavin’ in his underwear.
” Act 2 a) There is another confrontation between Beatrice and Eddie where Eddie tries to make Beatrice feel guilty about bringing Rodolpho and Marco into their house.Beatrice condemns Eddie’s actions against Catherine and Rodolpho, “That’s what you cal responsible for her? ” Beatrice is tired of Eddie, his obsession and his excuses when she states, “Look, I’m finished with it. That’s all. ” She emphasises how he has caused conflict in their relationship, “I’m no different”. Beatrice again assists in the pattern of tragedy by delivering more warning and advice to Eddie, “if you want my advice, go to her and tell her good luck. ” Beatrice tries to make peace between Eddie and Catherine to save their relationship, “Come on, Katie, ask him.
We’ll have a party! What’re you gonna go, hate each other? ” b) When the offcers arrive, Beatrice realises what Eddie has done and says “(weakened with fear) Oh, Jesus, Eddie. ” Upon realising what he has done, she accuses him, My God, what did you do? ” She defends Marco and Rodolpho, completely disregarding Eddie and his accusations. c) Even through Eddie refuses to let Beatrice go to see her Catherine off because he wants his “respect”, she still defends him when Catherine powerfully attacks Eddie and his want for control over Beatrice, being a typical, “1950’s man”.When Catherine calls him a rat, Beatrice supports Eddie, “Don’t you call him that! ” She also sides with Eddie where she states, “Whatever happened we all done it, and don’t you ever forget it, Catherine. ” d) Beatrice is scared for Eddie’s life when Rodolpho informs them that Marco is praying in the church, “I don’t want you to be here when he comes”, and tries to again bring them closer together, “Come. You and me.
“. She also tries to make Eddie forgive Rodolpho, as she feels this may save his life, “Eddie, he’s apologising” and pleads with him, “Only blood is good? However, when Eddie refuses, she begins to bring out into the open Eddie’s obsession, “That’s not what you want” and finally looses her self-control when she cries, “You want sometime else, Eddie, and you can never have her! ” This is a major point in the story as all three characters involved are directly confronted with the issue of Eddie’s obsession. The basic cause of the tragedy is his obsession and Miller, through Beatrice makes his clear, “The truth is not as bad as blood, Eddie! ” Relationship: With Eddie: Beatrice knows of Eddie’s obsession with Catherine and constantly tries to warn him.She confronts him numerous times, one in particular where she openly tells Eddie of his obsession for Catherine. With Catherine: Because Beatrice knows of Eddie’s obsession with Eddie, there is a constant, underlying tension between the two, especially when Beatrice confronts Catherine about being a baby around Eddie.
However, she still loves Catherine, although this is not enough to make her disobey Eddie. With Rodolpho: Beatrice regards Rodolpho as a good man and has no issue with Catherine’s relationship with Rodolpho. “He’s a nice fella, hard workin’, he’s a good-lookin’ fella. With Marco: Beatrice has respect for Marco and attitude to life. Themes: Love, Jealousy, Betrayal, Status, Loyalty, Family, * Contributes to pattern of tragedy by warning Eddie.
Catherine Act 1 Act 2 Relationships: With Eddie: At first, Catherine respected Eddie. However, through numerous confrontations and conflicts, Catherine eventually disrespects Eddie. Catherine loves Rodolpho at the price of her relationship with Eddie. With Beatrice: Catherine has a tense relationship with Beatrice by still respects her, “you could tell me, B!Gee, I’m all mixed up”. With Rodolpho: Catherine is immediately attracted to Rodolpho and by Act Two they are in love. Catherine questions Rodolpho’s motives because Eddie is constantly discrediting Rodolpho.
We assume Catherine does marry Rodolpho after Eddie dies. With Marco: Catherine respects Marco more as Eddie obviously crosses the line. She tries to convince Marco to continue working, but other than that, their relationship is not a major part of the play. Themes: Love, Family, Innocence, (In)dependence, Growing up, Respect
