A View From A Bridge Essay, Research Paper

When Arthur Miller writes a play, he tries to develop a modern tragedy. Miller successfully depicts a tragic hero in his play A View From the Bridge in the character Eddie Carbone.

As head of the household and a respected part of his community, Eddie embodies magnitude. His passion for his adopted daughter leads him to commit a tragic act. Eddie recognizes his love for his adopted daughter. Even as the lawyer warns him to not turn in the immigrants, as a chorus would in a Greek tragedy, Eddie does because of his tragic flaw, wrongly loving his adopted daughter. This inexcusable act effects not only the immigrant that loves his adopted daughter but also two other immigrants and Marco. Eddie loses respect of his family and his community as a consequence of his actions.

At first the audience pities Eddie, for he does not acknowledge his love for his adopted daughter. Then the adopted daughter is pitied for she cannot happily marry her love with Eddie s blessing. As Eddie debates what to do with Rodolpho, the audience fears the worst. After Eddie turns the immigrants in, fear of what Marco will do to Eddie sets in.

Miller successfully represents the main characteristics of a Greek tragedy in this play, except for order being restored after the tragic hero s death. Eddie has magnitude and recognizes his tragic flaw that leads him to commit a wrongful act that ripples on the community, which involves fear and pity for the audience.