In ‘A View from the Bridge’, Arthur Miller examines the ideas of manliness, hostility and aggression. Eddie, the main protagonist has a very peculiar view of what it means to be a “real man”. Eddie is prejudiced, sometimes even spiteful towards those who do not conform to it. Threats to his honour or ideal image of masculinity, in the form of malice and aggressiveness are the cause many tense disagreements throughout the play. Manliness, as well as hostility and aggression are integral in the unfolding of events and are in a sense intertwined. Miller’s play is set in a patriarchal society in the 1950s in which gender inequality is widely accepted. During this time in America, the husband was usually responsible for providing for his family.
…show more content…
He doubts Rodolpho’s intentions and believes that he only wants to marry Catherine to become an American citizen. He doesn't think of Rodolpho as a ‘real man’ and even attempts to suggest that Rodolpho is homosexual. Throughout the play, Rodolpho is referred to by Eddie, as well as others as “weird”, “paper doll”, and “canary”. These insults all suggest that he in some way effeminate due to certain aspects of his appearance and character such as his hair, which is blond, an unusual colour for someone of Italian descent. Rodolpho also knows how to cook, sing, and sew and in Eddie’s opinion, these are all jobs that women typically did. Rodolpho’s affection for Catherine is seen by Eddie as a threat to his masculinity. In an attempt to teach him a lesson, Eddie offers to teach him how to box, an advance which Rodolpho gratefully accepts. However, what begins as a friendly match of boxing quickly escalates to aggression and causes Rodolpho to “mildly stagger” as a result of one of Eddie’s blows. After their fight, the tension in the room remains as a result of Rodolpho and Catherine’s defiant decision to dance to the tune of “Paper Doll. In the play, the conflict between Rodolpho and Eddie suddenly climaxes in Act 2 during which “Eddie pins his arms, laughing, and suddenly kisses him.” Eddie does so to humiliate and insult Rodolpho and prove to Catherine that he enjoys being kissed by men and …show more content…
In fact, Marco, a ‘real man’, is devoted and protective of his family, therefore, when Eddie punches Rodolpho during their boxing lesson, Marco takes it upon himself to defend his younger brother. Marco challenges Eddie’s authority with a show of strength. Stage directions indicate that the playwright, Miller wants Eddie to seem inferior in this particular section of the play as “Marco takes a chair, places it in front of Eddie, and looks down at him.” Marco triumphs over Eddie, as he is not muscular or powerful enough to lift the chair. The growing tension between the two escalates, as Marco raises the chair “like a weapon over Eddie’s head”. Marco “transforms what might have appeared like a glare of warning into a smile of triumph, and Eddie’s grin vanishes as he absorbs his look.” Unlike Eddie, Marco is not overtly hostile or aggressive. However, he is able to wordlessly convey to Eddie that certain boundaries must be respected. In Italian culture, insults directed towards one’s family are analogous to personal insults. His interaction with Marco is an example Eddie’s inability to remember his own criteria, respecting personal boundaries and those of one’s
He doubts Rodolpho’s intentions and believes that he only wants to marry Catherine to become an American citizen. He doesn't think of Rodolpho as a ‘real man’ and even attempts to suggest that Rodolpho is homosexual. Throughout the play, Rodolpho is referred to by Eddie, as well as others as “weird”, “paper doll”, and “canary”. These insults all suggest that he in some way effeminate due to certain aspects of his appearance and character such as his hair, which is blond, an unusual colour for someone of Italian descent. Rodolpho also knows how to cook, sing, and sew and in Eddie’s opinion, these are all jobs that women typically did. Rodolpho’s affection for Catherine is seen by Eddie as a threat to his masculinity. In an attempt to teach him a lesson, Eddie offers to teach him how to box, an advance which Rodolpho gratefully accepts. However, what begins as a friendly match of boxing quickly escalates to aggression and causes Rodolpho to “mildly stagger” as a result of one of Eddie’s blows. After their fight, the tension in the room remains as a result of Rodolpho and Catherine’s defiant decision to dance to the tune of “Paper Doll. In the play, the conflict between Rodolpho and Eddie suddenly climaxes in Act 2 during which “Eddie pins his arms, laughing, and suddenly kisses him.” Eddie does so to humiliate and insult Rodolpho and prove to Catherine that he enjoys being kissed by men and …show more content…
In fact, Marco, a ‘real man’, is devoted and protective of his family, therefore, when Eddie punches Rodolpho during their boxing lesson, Marco takes it upon himself to defend his younger brother. Marco challenges Eddie’s authority with a show of strength. Stage directions indicate that the playwright, Miller wants Eddie to seem inferior in this particular section of the play as “Marco takes a chair, places it in front of Eddie, and looks down at him.” Marco triumphs over Eddie, as he is not muscular or powerful enough to lift the chair. The growing tension between the two escalates, as Marco raises the chair “like a weapon over Eddie’s head”. Marco “transforms what might have appeared like a glare of warning into a smile of triumph, and Eddie’s grin vanishes as he absorbs his look.” Unlike Eddie, Marco is not overtly hostile or aggressive. However, he is able to wordlessly convey to Eddie that certain boundaries must be respected. In Italian culture, insults directed towards one’s family are analogous to personal insults. His interaction with Marco is an example Eddie’s inability to remember his own criteria, respecting personal boundaries and those of one’s