In the play of “A View from the Bridge”, Marco is brought in from Italy as an illegal immigrant along with his brother. Eddie generously houses them in his apartment as they are cousins of Beatrice.
They share similar traits especially the need to show dominance in masculinity.
Eddie is shown to the play as the ‘Man of the House’ making the rules and a representation of a typical Father in the 1950’s America. He believes that his strict and control in the house shows his dominance and uses this as his basis towards his idea of masculinity. When Eddie feels that his dominance is being challenged he uses various different ways to deal with it. For example, when he felt Rodolfo was threatening his grasp on Catherine, He uses teaching him to box as an excuse to hit him and show his physical prowess. Another case of this is in Act 2, when he kisses Catherine in front of Rodolfo to show his control over her and then does the same to Rodolfo to show his dominance to Catherine. Yet, it must be taken into account that Eddie was in a state of intoxication which may have affected his choice of actions. Nevertheless, the purpose of the action does not alter.
Marco show actions of similar purpose. In the end of Act 1, Marco has reached his tolerance towards the way Eddie disrespectful way he treats Rodolfo. This also shows he has a protective instinct toward Rodolfo ––his younger brother. In the specific incidence using boxing to show strength over him. Marco reacts with this by prompting Eddie if he can lift the chair with one hand. Eddie hesitantly accepts and fails this task. In contrast, Marco does this with ease showing a significant physical power over Eddie and holds up the Chair almost as a weapon. He then proves his physical advantage when he protects himself from Eddie’s knife and redirects the blade into Eddie, effectively killing him.
They also share a similarity in the fact that they are both of Sicilian Descent.
This affects them both greatly as Marco’s ‘code of honor’ is the culture and rules in Sicily and also withheld in this Italian neighborhood. Eddie is also based on the same set of rules. However, this is only inferred in the start of the play and is not followed by Eddie after he calls the Immigration Bureau. This violates the Sicilian tradition of protecting the Illegal immigrants. Moreover, Eddie is very aware of these customs and is only acting like this as irrational behavior caused by the never being able to be Catherine. Therefore, this can only be said to be a similarity considering the understanding of the Sicilian Traditions but as Eddie does not follow it, they do not share the similarity abiding it.
A Difference the two character have is the behavior towards others.
Marco is show in the very beginning as a polite and courteous character. Knowing when to talk when not to. He knows his place in the US and tells Eddie “I want to tell you now, Eddie – When you say we go, we go.” He is described by Louis and Mike as “a regular bull” and “a regular slave”. Showing further evidence on his attention to following the rules and doing what he’s supposed to do. Marco is also a character that is set in a situation of supporting his family from abroad with also requires him to not make mistakes.
However, Eddie is shown to be quite a rude character. Making brash jokes and comments toward Rodolfo and is careless about how he behaves. His decisions are mainly based off his own desire and cares very less for the well-being of others unless suggested by others. He tries to control all things around him and make them go according to him.
In conclusion, Eddie and Marco in the play “A View from the Bridge” share similarities in their trait of showing Dominance and has a clear idea of what Masculinity is (although different). They also both share that they are of Sicilian Descent and have an intuitive understanding of its traditions and customs. On main difference in this is that Eddie fails to abide it in the play where he acts irrationally. Lastly, Miller represents Eddie and Marco with very different character. Marco displays a very civil image, whilst Eddie is self-assertive and rude.
They share similar traits especially the need to show dominance in masculinity.
Eddie is shown to the play as the ‘Man of the House’ making the rules and a representation of a typical Father in the 1950’s America. He believes that his strict and control in the house shows his dominance and uses this as his basis towards his idea of masculinity. When Eddie feels that his dominance is being challenged he uses various different ways to deal with it. For example, when he felt Rodolfo was threatening his grasp on Catherine, He uses teaching him to box as an excuse to hit him and show his physical prowess. Another case of this is in Act 2, when he kisses Catherine in front of Rodolfo to show his control over her and then does the same to Rodolfo to show his dominance to Catherine. Yet, it must be taken into account that Eddie was in a state of intoxication which may have affected his choice of actions. Nevertheless, the purpose of the action does not alter.
Marco show actions of similar purpose. In the end of Act 1, Marco has reached his tolerance towards the way Eddie disrespectful way he treats Rodolfo. This also shows he has a protective instinct toward Rodolfo ––his younger brother. In the specific incidence using boxing to show strength over him. Marco reacts with this by prompting Eddie if he can lift the chair with one hand. Eddie hesitantly accepts and fails this task. In contrast, Marco does this with ease showing a significant physical power over Eddie and holds up the Chair almost as a weapon. He then proves his physical advantage when he protects himself from Eddie’s knife and redirects the blade into Eddie, effectively killing him.
They also share a similarity in the fact that they are both of Sicilian Descent.
This affects them both greatly as Marco’s ‘code of honor’ is the culture and rules in Sicily and also withheld in this Italian neighborhood. Eddie is also based on the same set of rules. However, this is only inferred in the start of the play and is not followed by Eddie after he calls the Immigration Bureau. This violates the Sicilian tradition of protecting the Illegal immigrants. Moreover, Eddie is very aware of these customs and is only acting like this as irrational behavior caused by the never being able to be Catherine. Therefore, this can only be said to be a similarity considering the understanding of the Sicilian Traditions but as Eddie does not follow it, they do not share the similarity abiding it.
A Difference the two character have is the behavior towards others.
Marco is show in the very beginning as a polite and courteous character. Knowing when to talk when not to. He knows his place in the US and tells Eddie “I want to tell you now, Eddie – When you say we go, we go.” He is described by Louis and Mike as “a regular bull” and “a regular slave”. Showing further evidence on his attention to following the rules and doing what he’s supposed to do. Marco is also a character that is set in a situation of supporting his family from abroad with also requires him to not make mistakes.
However, Eddie is shown to be quite a rude character. Making brash jokes and comments toward Rodolfo and is careless about how he behaves. His decisions are mainly based off his own desire and cares very less for the well-being of others unless suggested by others. He tries to control all things around him and make them go according to him.
In conclusion, Eddie and Marco in the play “A View from the Bridge” share similarities in their trait of showing Dominance and has a clear idea of what Masculinity is (although different). They also both share that they are of Sicilian Descent and have an intuitive understanding of its traditions and customs. On main difference in this is that Eddie fails to abide it in the play where he acts irrationally. Lastly, Miller represents Eddie and Marco with very different character. Marco displays a very civil image, whilst Eddie is self-assertive and rude.