Summary:
In his play "A View from the Bridge," Arthur Miller clearly portrays the brothers Rodolfo and Marco as being more different than alike in terms of looks, character, and personality. In general, Rodolfo is popular, whereas Marco is respected.
Marco and Rodolfo are very different in looks and character. Arthur Miller clearly portrays both brothers as being more different than alike.
With regard to looks, Marco is macho while Rodolfo is good looking, however not macho. Marco is a "regular bull", a "regular giant." This suggests that Marco is very tall and muscular, being "square built", resembling his father. Rodolfo seems to look very different from Marco, who wondered at "How come he's [Marco's] so dark and you're [Rodolfo's] so light"" Rodolfo has "platinum" blond hair, in fact his hair is so distinctive that Catherine seems to have been immediately attracted to him. Rodolfo is likely to be much less bulky in size and even slight in build as Eddie has a persistant suspicion that he "ain't right" and is like a "chorus girl." However, he is quite handsome as he is able to attract Catherine very quickly and even Beatrice mentions that he "is good lookin'."
Rodolfo is also flamboyant in his dressing as he bought a "snappy new jacket, a pointy pair of shoes" with his first few months' salary.
Rodolfo is flamboyant and extroverted in his behaviour as well, unlike Marco who is much more reserved and quiet. Rodolfo as reflected outwardly in his appearance and dressing is flashy. Within the hour of arrival, he sings "Paper Doll" which is a light-hearted song not only lacking in seriousness but even shyly suggestive with the repetition of "flirty flirty eyes." He even had to be told off for being loud by Eddie and Marco. Marco on the other hand is quiet and does not offer much news or intimate discussions. He only responds and with short sentences, even regarding his family whom he loves so much. Even when he was angered by Eddie's boxing of Rodolfo, he proved his point with not an argument but action.
Rodolfo does not seem serious at all while Marco is always serious. Thus Marco is respected while Rodolfo is popular.
Rodolfo also jokes a lot. Louis and Mike notes that" he's got a senses of humour...funny...always like makin' remarks like..." He uses humour to draw attention to those around him and enjoys making people laugh, " You take one look at him... they was all hysterical" with laughter. He thus makes himself popular but not respected as Marco is. Eddie" got a lotta credit comin' to you" for bringing Marco, " a regular bull", " a regular slave" to the job. They admire him his strength and hardworking attitude.
Thus Eddie took Marco very seriously when Marco insulted him with the accusation of having "killed his children" and demands either an apology or "blood." Not only his ego is hurt by having his honour being publicly destroyed with he spit, he also knows that the whole neighbourhood would believe Marco's accusations because they respect his words, thus Lipari's suspicious gaze of accusation. Hence when Rodolfo tries to negotiate for peace and even apologize for his part in causing the friction, " It is my fault...Everything. I wish to apologize. It was wrong that I do not ask your permission. I kiss your hand", his words are not taken to be of account, " He didn't take my name; he's only a punk."
We also have the impression that Marco does what he says and says what he mean, while Rodolfo only talks about frivolous topics.
Hence note Marco's warning to Eddie for hurting his brother during boxing is with a challenge that subtly but most effectively conveys the threat should Eddie tries to hurt Rodolfo. He was so even-mannered in the way he challenged Eddie with the chair that Eddie thought it a game and did not even realise Marco's intentions in the first place. " Marco is face to face with Eddie, the chair raised like a weapon over Eddie's head --- and he transforms what might appear like a glare of warning into a smile of triumph." Marco has always shown respect and gratitude to Eddie that it is even clearer that he controls himself till he shows his hand which is a very powerful one indeed, and "Eddie's grin vanishes as he absorbs his look."
The different characters are also reflected in their ambitions. Rodolfo's ambition is unrealistic in that it is one that is difficult to realize and seems to be focused towards the entertainment industry. However, on the other hand, Marco is focused on earning a lot quickly for his wife and children.
Rodolfo's flamboyant characteristic is revealed in his dreams and ambitions. He wants a "motorcycle", a "great machine" which makes noise and thus attracts attention and thus become an important person, " the man exists." Marco scoffs at his thought that "the machine, the machine is necessary" (note his repetition and diction of "necessary") -- a need, not a luxury for guys who do not even have a roof over their heads. Marco's repetition of "He dreams, he dreams" tells us that even his brother who obviously loves him also finds it ridiculous and unrealistic. Unlike the practical Marco, " When you have no wife you have dreams."
Rodolfo is also somewhat of a braggart because he takes his words with a grain of salt unlike Marco.
He also wants to sing as a career and boasts within 1 hour of his arrival at Carbone house about his achievement as a replacement singer at a hotel in Italy; his assessment of his success being that the audience responded well, with the exaggeration that "Thousand-lire notes they threw from the tables, money was falling like a storm in treasury." This is immediately disputed by Marco who did a reality check. He's "got bright lights in his head, Broadway." Rodolfo's dreams also reflect his flamboyant character -- he only feels important and appreciated if he attracts others' attention. Marco points out repeatedly that he was not that good, "too loud." It may be in a joking tone, but Marco who speaks little has also spoken straightforwardly what he thinks. His comment again brings out his very different character -- always honest (but by no means undiplomatic).
Another fact is that Rodolfo is superficial while Marco focuses on what is real, which for him, is his family. Rodolfo wants a "motorcycle", a "great machine" which makes noise and attracts attention and which he thus beliefs will make him seem "responsible" to others. The logic of that does not seem tenuous, and his belief only makes him seem superficial. His brother cannot accept his belief. Marco on the other hand believes in being honest and hard living to provide food and medicine and a better life for his children as can be seen from the worries, "they eat the sunshine", "my wife, she feeds them from her own mouth."
Therefore, it is only fair to conclude that Marco and Rodolfo are indeed different in both aspects; character and personality. Marco is macho, serious, straight-forward, reserved and very quiet. Marco is also hardworking and believes in honest means at all times. All these characteristics of Marco are indeed contrary to those of Rodolfo as he is good-looking, not serious, very superficial, carefree about is life and is always joking around. Hence, it is evident and is truly inevitable to note the fact that both the brothers are truly unlike in their characteristics as well as their looks.
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