1. A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller
That’s tragic, Eddie
It has been argued that ‘the tragic mode is archaic, fit only for the very
highly placed, the kings or the kingly’. Discuss the extent to which you
feel Eddie is a suitable tragic hero.
The following questions are designed to help you prepare your essay. You can
change the order and must add points of your own to answer the essay question.
 What is a tragic hero? What is traditionally expected of such a character? What does
Arthur Miller have to say about the tragic hero in today’s society?
 In which ways is Eddie a tragic hero? Are his actions heroic? Does he match the
traditional view of a hero? Does he satisfy Miller’s definition of a modern tragic hero?
 How might the stage appear to an audience at the start of the play? Is this a scene
set up for tragedy? What might they expect from the set? How does it establish
place and time?
 Alfieri apparently takes a similar role to that of the chorus in a Greek tragedy. What
would a chorus traditionally do? How does Alfieri embody this role? Look at the
opening of the play. What is the effect of his introduction?
 The hero has a tragic flaw. What is Eddie’s? Look at the parts where Eddie comes
home to Catherine and where Beatrice is talking to Catherine about her behaviour.
 Honour is an important theme in Greek tragedy. Find two sections which you think
show the importance of honour to Eddie. How does the audience feel? Do they
sympathise with Eddie? How does Eddie change between the two scenes?
 Is the outcome of the play inevitable? In Greek tragedy fate plays a part in the
hero’s destiny. For example, Oedipus was destined to kill his father. What elements
lead to Eddie’s downfall?
 Is Eddie suitable as a tragic hero?
Remember to use quotations – embed them For an A* you need to show
into your sentences where appropriate and originality of analysis and
make sure you explore the layers of meaning. interpretation when evaluating:
Use CAPITAL LETTERS for the title of the play
 the effects of character and
and put it in ‘inverted commas’ if you are
action
handwriting, or use italics if using a word
 the effects of dramatic devices
processor.
or structures
Start a new paragraph for each new point  the layers of meaning in
you make, and ensure that your points relate language, ideas and themes
to the question.  the social and historical setting
or cultural context or literary
Connect your paragraphs in a logical manner. tradition.
Don’t leap from one point to another!
© 2009 www.teachit.co.uk 11878 Page 1 of 1