Rodolphos apology Essay Example

Rodolphos apology Paper Eddie is trying to keep control of his family, even after all that happened, Didnt you hear what I told you? You walk out that door to that wedding you aint coming back here, Beatrice. We notice the I told you. He still thinks that he is in control of his family, like he always had been. He doesnt realise how bad what he did was, and what implications it will have. We, as the audience now know how Catherine feels about him, but Eddie doesnt. This dramatic irony helps build up more tension, as we dont know what Eddie will do when Catherine doesnt do what he tells her to. To add to the anticipation of what will happen, we learn how important respect is to Eddie, I want my respect. He still seems to think that people will still respect him, and doesnt realise that nobody does, or, seeing what happened to Vinny earlier on, ever will again. This creates tension, as we want (yet at the same time, dread) what will happen when he realises this).  Then, Catherine goes and defies him, Its after three; were supposed to be there already, Beatrice. The priest wont wait. She is totally ignoring Eddie, just talking to Beatrice. Also, she is subtly belittling him when she says, the priest wont wait, as shes making the priest out to be more important to her than Eddie. We will write a custom essay sample on Rodolphos apology specifically for you for only $16.38 $13.9/page Order now We will write a custom essay sample on Rodolphos apology specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer We will write a custom essay sample on Rodolphos apology specifically for you FOR ONLY $16.38 $13.9/page Hire Writer Eddie, not realising this, still thinks hes in charge, and thinks that Catherine will still obey him, Hes gonna come here and apologize to me or nobody from this house is goin to the church today. Now if thats more to you than I am, then go. But dont come back. You be on my side or their side, thats all. The way he says nobody from this house that in his mind, he rules the house and everyone in it. It is his kingdom and they are his servants. If they do not obey him, then they are betraying him, and should be kicked out. He is being rather babyish, seeing it as a them and us situation, with no possible middle ground. This speech also tells us that he thinks that hes in the right, and that it should be Marco who comes to apologise to him, but as we have already seen, Marco thinks hes in the right and wants Eddie to apologise to him. They are both very similar, and both just as stubborn, which creates tension, as we know that neither will give in and apologise; yet both expect the othe r to. Catherine has finally had enough of Eddies primitive behaviour, and openly rebels for the first time, the most interesting part being her extended metaphor, Hes a rat, he belongs in the sewer! [Beatrice]: Stop it! [Catherine][Weeping]: He bites people when they sleep! He comes when nobodys looking and poisons decent people. In the garbage he belongs! First of all, we discover to what point Catherine despises him. Calling him a rat removes any human nature from him, so she doesnt even consider him a human. Then there are the things he does. For example, he bites people when they sleep probably refers to the boxing incident, when he hit Rodolpho hard, while Rodolpho trusted him and wasnt prepared for it (like when you sleep). Then he comes when nobodys looking, which could refer to the calling of the immigration officers, and poisons decent people, which almost certainly means the way in which he made decent Marco want to kill him. With so much hatred, also comes tension, as the audience wonder how Eddie will respond to having his authority undermined by one who he thinks respects him. The result of the rebellion, which makes Eddie realise she no longer respects or obeys him, is that he nearly attacks her, [Eddie seems about to pick up the table and fling it at her]. This is a very tense moment, and shows just how distraught and desperate Eddie is. He loves Catherine more than anything else (perhaps too much), and the reason all this happened was because of how he cared for her and loved her. If now he is prepared to physically harm her, its that he is emotionally at breaking point. Over the last few days, his life has fallen apart, and we know he cant stop now.  Luckily Beatrice is there to calm him down, and she decided to take his side, Now go, go to your wedding Katie, Ill stay home. Go. God bless you, God bless your children suggest that shell never see her again, or her children, making this a very emotional sentence. Then, in comes Rodolpho paving the way for a final showdown, Marco is coming Eddie. [Pause. Beatrice raises her hands in terror] Hes praying in the church. You understand? [Pause. Rodolpho advances in the room]. Catherine, I think it is better we go. This speech can have two meanings, depending on how the director asks the actor to say it. The actor could make out that Marco wants to come and kill Eddie, and Rodolpho has come to watch Eddie squirm, or alternatively, could make out that Marco is coming to apologise. I personally think that Miller intended it to be the former, as he has set the scene for revenge on Rodolphos part earlier, when, after being punched, Rodolpho responds with [a certain gleam and a smile]. This smile suggests that he knows whats going on, and will get him back. I also believe that Marco is coming to kill Eddie, because in the previous scene, Alfieri kept telling Marco only God makes justice. Maybe Marco paid attention to this, and is praying for justice. Beatrice has obviously also come to the same conclusion as we can see from her reaction, and her next line, lets go someplace [] I dont want you to be here when he comes. If he were coming to apologise, she would want him to be there. Eddie on the other hand may, blinded by his emotions, think he has come to apologise, which could be fatal. Even with Beatrices pleading, Eddie wont be moved. Hes already had too much, Where am I goin? This is my house. So at least Eddies not kidding himself; he agrees with Beatrice, and thinks that hes coming for revenge, but because of his pride, he refuses to leave. He also possibly doesnt realise how dire the consequences could be. He wants to defend his honour and his territory, and wants to punish Marco for insulting him so badly. We realise that no amount of persuasion from anyone will make him change his mind. This helps create quite a bit of tension, as we know that there will be a climatic fight. Even Rodolpho changes his mind and doesnt want a fight anymore. He says, [Quite suddenly, stepping up to Eddie]: It is my fault Eddie. Everything. I wish to apologize [] I kiss your hand [He reaches for Eddies hand, but Eddie snaps it away from him] On first inspection, this redeems Rodolpho. The words quite suddenly suggest that seeing how distraught Beatrice was, he changed his mind. He is willing to forget all the insults and other bad things Eddie has done to him, which makes the audience trust him again. But rereading it, it seems that he is possibly just trying to get Beatrice and Catherine to think that hes a very good man. The proof for this is that he says it only after Eddie has made it clear that he wont change his mind, so he knows it wont have any effect on Eddie, just on the others present. Eddies symbolically rejects the apology, signing, in doing so, his death warrant. The persuasion goes on and on, with the effect of hyping up Marcos coming, telling the audience that it will be grandiose and possibly fatal. It also has the effect of making the others seem nicer, as they all (even Catherine) plead with him not to stay. But Eddie wont listen, I want my name! He didnt take my name; hes only a punk. Marcos got my name [To Rodolpho] and you can run tell him kid, that hes gonna give it back to me in front of this neighbourhood, or we have it out. [Hoisting his pants]. Eddie is taking this honour and respect thing very seriously, which is why he wont accept Rodolphos apology. To him, Rodolpho is just a stupid kid with dyed hair (in other words a punk). His lack of intellect is shown by the fact that he doesnt realise that hes lost his respect and no-one can give it back. All he understands is physical action, so he hoists his pants, showing that he is ready for action, and is prepared to fight for his honour if Marco doesnt apologise. We all know this wo nt happen, so the tension starts building. Beatrice, in a desperate attempt to stop him, breaks down in front of Eddie, [barring his way to the stairs] whats gonna mean something? Eddie, listen to me. [] Listen to me, I love you, Im talking to you, I love you. First of all, we can tell that shes getting very desperate, as she bars his way; something that would take a great deal of courage, and despair gives you that courage. In addition, she speaks in short sentences, which makes it seem as though shes trying to grab his attention. She repeats, Listen to me, which would suggest that Eddie is ignoring her. She also repeats, I love you to try and make him realise what harm he could to those who love him, and to tell him that hes not yet totally alone. To emphasise this last point, she also says, Im talking to you. This could be just to make him listen, but it might also be to tell him that she, unlike everyone else in the community, still respects him.