How is it evident from the beginning of the play that it will end in tragedy?.

             A tragedy within a play script is drama with an unhappy ending but not necessarily death. Without any reference to the play, a tragedy can be a sad event, calamity, serious accident or crime. A View from the Bridge is a tragedy because Eddie has both a serious accident and commits a crime of betrayal. Through certain aspects of the play, it"s setting and the background; the idea of a tragic ending becomes increasingly evident.

             The first aspect of the play to be seen is the setting, both on stage and in society. The stage contains only a few props vital to the plot of the play. They create the impression of attempting of avoiding confrontations with the law with the presence of Alfieri's office and a fire escape. There is also a phone box, which hints towards a tragic event from the arrival of illegal immigrants. .

             The play is set in an American society when the immigration law has recently changed. The set portrays the life of most Italian immigrants with temporary or seasonal jobs and little money. The homes are simple tenement buildings with sparse amounts of furniture inside. With the "American Dream" not being lived by these legal citizens the idea of isolation between Italian cultures and the US is evident. The majority of people going to the theatre would be Middle class and well paid so watching a play about poorer Italians creates tension and suggests an unhappy outcome.

             The play begins with Alfieri's first speech setting the scene and introducing us to the plot. Despite saying very little about the story itself, he stresses the importance of justice in the community suggesting a betrayal against this Sicilian 'law". When describing the setting he gives examples of crimes previously committed, resulting in death, but not directly relating it to the story he narrates. We can see that all he says is relevant to the play, immediately knowing it is likely to end in tragedy.