COSI

Limited information is given about the characters. - Disorders are not clearly states and this discourages audiences to judge and encourages them to view that as individual characters rather than a patient. - Everyone is an ordinary person with special/erratic traits. The slogans asserting free love, most commonly apply to middle class youth who have the educational background to define and seize their social freedoms. Lewis Riley: - Main protagonist - Based of Louis Nowra semi-autobiographical. - He is a good man who has potential, a good sense of humour, is tolerant and has the endurance to be stable for the patients who rely on him. - Directs the opera at the asylum because he needs the money to Lewis it is just a job and not a passion. - His first job since graduating from university the combination of his inexperience with the mental patients is a real challenge feels alone and unguided. - His idealism and naively allows him to approach the job with enthusiasm and passion. - Altruistic doing things for the greater of others later on in the play. - He is able to see the worth of what he is doing for the patients. - Nave and inexperienced. - Gradually takes on a stronger leadership role. - Forced to overcome several challenged this leads to significant changes (both positive and negative) - Challenges are moral and ethical - University student associated with left-wing university politics through connections with Nick and girlfriend. - Not faithful to Lucy - He acts selfishly in disregarding his commitment to his political activism, Nicks play and Lucy. - He is initially cynical about love but eventually comes to understand that with it comes fidelity, honesty and commitment. - Easily recognizable by audience fairly ordinary middle-class, young man with no obvious dramatic traits - He lacks self-confidence and limited experience of the real world - Quite typical. - More disconnected form the highly turbulent social change suggest an ambivalence regarding his friends. - Moderate, quite reserved - Doug continues to understand Lewis through personal questioning. - Jerry (Lewis): a performer known for comic ineptitude and clumsiness. - With Nick and Lucy uncertain and trying to justify himself - Patients fits in a bit more, due to the fact that like them, he does not know where he belongs within society. - He is transformed by his role directing and by the authenticity of the patients. - He involves himself in directing the opera to avoid conflict (by Roy). - By the conclusion, he is confidently resolving conflict and mediating between the patients without judgment and becomes more resolute - He confronts the conflicts in his relationship with both Nick and Lucy. - The mark of his growing maturity is his ability to stand against the other characters (Nick, Lucy, Roy, Henry) - He is forced to confront his own beliefs and morals this is liberating for him. - He has to take responsibility for both himself and for others (the patients) physical and emotional well-being.

Lewis cannot accept morality of Lucys affair.

Roy: - Convinces everyone to undertake the play, Cosi Fan Tutte. - 40-50 years of age. - He spent most of his life in institutions. - Ambivalent relationship with Lewis. - Some interpretations suggest that Roy is the central character. - Most engaging and active character. - Enthusiastic, cheerful and full of vigor and fiercely determined that the play match his vision. - His reason for doing the play was inspired by an illusion centered on the comfortable childhood he never had. - Seeks recognition and is therefore very dominant. - Lives in a fantasy world and has an intense need to be the center of attention. - Raised in an orphan in a succession of institutions and foster families. - He is a bully with a sharp tongue and perceptive mind. - Arrogant, egotistical, rude, ungrateful and intolerant. - Hugely rejected and marginalized by society. - Relentless in criticism of Lewis - Rejected his whole entire life by his mother, foster families, as well as other patients in the institute. - Roy learns nothing from the whole process of the play - Sees himself as Dean Martin charming singer - The combination of Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin they were considered one of the great comedy duos - He is also delusional, but at times can be lucid and perceptive. - Beneath his bravado and self-confidence, there is a hollow sadness. - He has little faith in love love is what is left over when you dont have enough emotion to hate - Beneath his tough exterior he is very fragile - The audience sees his insecurity and dependence even though he is harshly critical and confrontational of Lewis. - His energy and drive challenges the audience to question why he is in an institution or considered insane. - He can be brutally honest, to the point of being crass - Roy challenges the audience to question their definition of normal as he confronts our tolerance of differences and idiosyncrasies. - He develops a relationship of mutual respect with Louis. - He has endured electro-convulsive therapy (ECT) this creates sympathy for him. - These factors allow the audience to understand his attention seeking and seediness as well as his cynical view of love - It is ironic that Roy demonstrates warmth and kindness when he takes Doug back to the ward. But Nick and Nick are shown as incapable of these feelings. Doug: - Rage comes from his negligent from his mother. - 20-30 and a pyromaniac. - Very frank and dominant. - He seeks responses through insults and attempts to provoke others his cruelty is for attention. - His comments, particularly to Cherry, are harmful, spiteful and derogatory, which reflects his lack of respect for women. - Doug represents the epitome of societys stereotypical view of the mentally ill.

Not concerned with the anti-war movement but rather the sexual freedom that emerged. Ridicules Lewis for not gasping the possibilities of individual freedom that have presented themselves. Dough is a character whose actions can be seen most clearly as psychotic episodes. Doug expresses the longing of patients for the outside world, especially the sexual freedom they possess. His actions and behaviour constantly puts him at risk of confinement in the closed ward. All his actions are deliberate and calculating Acts as a polar extreme as a comparison against the other patients Dougs fascination and constant questioning with womens liberation and sexuality portrays the outside world (where Lewis is trying to find escape in the institute, Doug strives to rejoin society) He is erratic and dangerous and his aggression creates tension among the other characters He is also articulate and perceptive and his intelligence allows him to manipulate circumstances and others. Doug longs for a connection with others, but he can only articulate this need in an inappropriate and sexual manner He is angry at the world and is lack of connection He expresses this aggression through pyromania go burn a cat Other patients dismiss Doug as well: A psychopath is too nice of a word to describe him (pg. 9) His crassness regarding her sexuality is indicative of the candidness of acknowledging sexual desire and sexuality in the 70s.

Justin: - Minor character in the play - Skeptical about the plays success - Patronizes Lewis Seems cynical about the possibility of the rehabilitation of the patients. - This is also indicative of the attitude of the system he represents certifications, doctors, social workers, nurses (those involved in the maintenance and treatment of people) By the end of the play, he enthusiastically embraces the benefits that the experience has had on the case and acknowledges that it has enabled many of them to blossom. Henry: - 40-50 years old - His shyness and reserve is due to his inability to cope with society. - Is possibly psychosomatic - this is displayed through his paralyzed arm which switches at the end of the play. - Former lawyer with a sharp intellect - Initially senseless and incapable of forming a coherent sentence without stuttering - Has the courage and assertiveness to confront Nick about his disloyalty Deeply passionate in defence of his fathers war efforts - Audience is meant to feel sadness at the ravage or decay of what must have been a brilliant mind. - Henry suggest his mother and fathers love is genuine and worth pursuing defends their love quite passionately. - Has very conservative, traditional views on the role that women should play in relationships - Admires mothers fortitude for staying with his father in spite of the difficult man he became after his experiences at war. - Once married compares wife to a temptress relationship did not end well. - Henrys attitude was straightforward: women are either pure and worthy, or dirty and worthless.

Managed to maintain some semblance of privacy and dignity despite being in the institute. Henry suggests that his views on love, devotion and commitment were shared by his parents and that they are worth pursuing He blossoms as a result of his participation in the play. Has a very conservative, traditional view on the role of women in relationships. Admires his mothers strength Believes his arm is paralyzed this changes to the other side by the end of the play. This signifies the transformation and changes he has made through the opera and his sense of self.

Julie: - Forms close and trusting friendship and intimacy with Lewis. - Age 21+ - Committed by patients due to drug addiction/dependency - In some ways, she is the most normal character in the play. - Her initial occupation was as a hairdresser and this is to contrast between Nick, Lucy and Lewis social class. - Nowras sympathetic portrayal of Julie suggests that she is the plays tragic character. - Young lesbian who uses hard drugs due to this, she is marginalized in society - Seeks relief from the institute by doing the opera. - First experience of a mental institute which her parents believed to be sort of like a holiday (pg. 36) - Attractive and alluring to other men in the wards. - Most realistic and intuitive of the patients most recent experience to the outside world - Has a girlfriend who has been loyal to her and she feels compelled to abide by her loyaly and the commitment they have made to each other. - Openness and honesty is an appealing and attractive quality - Julie listens without judgment sincere and trusting character - Succumbed to drugs and died of an overdose - She is unassuming and quietly cynical about love. But she is also open-minded enough to accept its possibilities. - Contrast to Lucy. Ruth: - 30-40 years old - Obsessive-compulsive disorder is depicted playfully with gentile comedy. - An obsession personality fixated on detail. - Her character suggests that society need all types her obsession later directly aided her to leave the institute and become a time and motion expert. - Has difficulty understanding anything other than literal interpretation - Ruth is very honest - Seems quite needy and dull - Her previous boyfriend tied her up and put her in a wardrobe for sexual gratification. - Her events of sexual and domestic violence as well as disorder seems to be the expression of a woman attempting to impose a predicable order on life as a means of achieving personal security. - Ruth appears especially vulnerable. - She has a need for security and reassurance and a fragile nature - She is a survivor she has outlasted a destructive relationship and ultimately finds success in the outside world Cherry: - 25-35 years old; been in institute for quite some time. - Cherrys initial attraction to Lewis may be the fact that he is from a differing social class.

Cherrys obsession with feeding Lewis suggests an underlying maternal feeling. Develops an immediate and extreme jealousy of the relationship between Julie and Lewis (goes to the point of attempting to cut Julie with a knife) resorts to threats and violence Suggests that love is work fighting for. A deeper underlying compassion for others takes blame for Doug when he sets fire to the toilets Blindly and emphatically believes in the fairytale of love. Seen as either vulnerable or admirable for her courage to continue to believe in something that proves itself so difficult. Why a womans heart would soften towards a man (pg. 60) Is in a constant rival with Julie for Lewis attention. Shares a mutual dislike with Doug. Takes the blame for Doug suggesting she is more understanding and compassionate than she admits. This can also be seen as Cherry making sure her comfort with Lewis. She is confident and spirited and central to many of the comic elements of the play. Is insightful and perceptive about love, fidelity and the human condition. Does not how to properly display her affection.

Zac: - Extensive history of being in and out of mental institutions. - The musician of the play - Frequently comatose and a source of humour. - Fails to see or acknowledge the irrelevance of wanting to perform Wagner in an opera by Mozart. - He is erratic and is used to show how much medication was exploited as a means of treating or dealing with those who were mentally ill. - Drugs given by others manipulate his existence. - Ironically, once out of the institution, her eccentricities lead to his success as a musician resulting in a minor hit - He is very uptight and provides most of the plays comic element. - His final glorious moment is overshadowed by his collapse when he takes too many pulls to cure his nerves - His unpredictability is farcical. - This also shows how fate and timing have been a part of this patients lives as many of them are in an institution because of a turning point or moment in their lives over which they have no control Lucy White: - Dominated by orthodoxy of prevailing radicalism that asserts individual freedom. - Her education and class support her professional academic. - Has sex with Nick, yet has a loving relationship with Lewis - Early 20s Lewiss girlfriend - Discussed their commitment and the future of their relationship in terms of marriage and children. - Independent, political activist. - Lucy does not undergo personal change throughout the course of the play. - Her relationship acts as a catalyst for the tension between the other female characters. - Unfaithful to Lewis has an affair with Nick. - She is judged harshly, yet she is not afforded the opportunity to defend nor explain her actions audience perceives her in a negative manner and rejects her actions - Free love ruthless and selfish for her straightforward approach to Lewis and her response to the people he is working with. - May be interpreted as confident with her sexuality, not preoccupied by love and its expectations representing women of the sexual revolution

Highlights Lewis life outside the theatre and before his involvement in the play the audience is able to make comparisons with what he was like, or could have been without Cosi. Illustrates the growing gap between her relationship with Lewis as well as Lewis and his peers. Representation of the 1970s womens movement. Emancipated, sexually liberated, independent and university educated Cynical about love and considers it an indulgence of the bourgeois a superfluous consequence. Lewis and Lucy mirror societys conflict between traditional expectations and liberated love. Sexual being whom Doug desired. Lack of empathy for patients reflects the general lack of understanding of the mental society.

Nick: - Student completing thesis and directs students plays at university. - Lives with Lewis and Lucy - Real world male character - Does not have same sincerity and humility that Lewis demonstrates although he is involved in several projects to activate and radicalize the nation - Fumble[s] in the darkness trying to achieve something he believes is important - Dismissive of Lewis involvement of the asylum waste of time - Belittles the themes of the play fidelity and love - He is, as much as Lewis, doing what he believes in and is trying to make positive change. - Reveals his malicious nature when he mocks the patients - Intolerant of patients needs and represents the attitudes of society at that time through his lack of empathy for understanding of the patients dignity. - Callous and cruel torments and provokes Henry, who is clearly not intellectually matched. - Disrespectful in response the Henry and his fathers commitment to Australia. - Nick reveals double standards and irony Nick works to achieve equality for minority and vulnerable groups in Vietnam yet dismisses those in the asylum. - Betrays friendship with Nick enters sexual relationship with Lucy - Comments regarding Julies sexual attractiveness expose arrogant self-indulgence and distinct lack of loyalty (even to Lucy) - Clear contrast to Nick - He is arrogant, but his political activism is about him doing what he believes in and his attempt to make positive change. - Has a malicious nature shown when he mocks the patients - Intolerant of patients needs and can be said to represent societys attitude to the mentally challenged at that that. - Lacks empathy and understanding of patients dignity. - Has a coarse brutality and is vicious in expressing his intolerance of difference. - Lewis purposely distances himself from Nicks political ideals. - Have double standards. He acts and reacts with intolerance of marginalized groups something he accuses the government of doing. Therefore, he is highly hypocritical and as a guilty as the government he shuns. - He does not see Lewis project as worthy by implications, he does not see the patients as deserving of either his attention or efforts.