Serafina -
The role of Serafina is the striking, voluptuous focal protagonist of 'The Rose Tattoo'; she is approximately in her late 30's, and is the mother to an adolescent daughter (Rosa) - who begins the play at the age of 12, and is later shown at the age of 15. Serafina forms the most three-dimensionally constructed character of the play, with the entire synopsis revolving around her progressive mental deterioration, due to her guilt and bereavement over the death of her unborn infant, and husband - Rosario. Throughout the play, Serafina's character status appears to simultaneously descend alongside her sanity, as she becomes almost passive and detached in her sense of control; causing many of the characters to strongly take advantage of her by either aggravating her sense of disillusion, like Bessie and Flora - or even to achieve their own personal ambitions. Much like Rosa, who appears to care more about her mother's physical appearance, as opposed to her health, when trying to make her appear perfect for Jack - "Mama, Mama, you said you were dressed up pretty! Jack, stay out a minute!"
- Rosa
- Alvaro
- Assunta
What key themes does Serafina accentuate?
- Hopeless Romance
- Lust/Desire
- Bereavement/Guilt
- Worship/Religion
- Mental Deterioration
- Death
Rosa -
The character of Rosa forms the daughter of the main protagonist, Serafina Delle Rose, in ‘The Rose Tattoo’. Although Williams’ presents Rosa as both a child and an adolescent, with her being 12 years old in Act One, Scene One, and 15 in Act One, Scene 6, she continues to obtain “intensity in every gesture” in her striking resemblance to her father. Unlike Serafina, she has received an American Education, thus meaning that she possesses the ability to view situations with a balanced, unbiased perspective, which is shown in Act One, Scene One when she informs her mother that the Strega is not a figure of superstition, but a normal old woman with a “cataract”. However, despite possessing this strong difference, she does additionally retain similarities with her mother, as Williams emphasises both their tendencies to become reliant on a male figure for attention and affection - without this they believe they cannot be truly complete and happy in themselves. Arguably, Rosa's character motivation throughout the play appears to be not only to force her mother to see the effects in which her mental deterioration is affecting the family - "Mama, you look disgusting."- but additionally, to achieve the affections of Jack with her excessive/exaggerated flirtation. In regards to her character interaction with Serafina, Rosa's character status could be interpreted as much more powerful, as she appears to possess an almost forced maturity over her mother; causing her at times to disregard, or even belittle her mother to characters like Miss Yorke. However, in contrast, Rosa's character status when interacting with Jack appears to be significantly less powerful, as her all-consuming captivation makes her appear rather immature and excessive in her desires to impress. - Jack
- Serafina
What key themes does Rosa accentuate?
- Familial Conflict
- Lust/Desire
- Maturity
- Hopeless Romance
Jack -
The character of Jack is the late adolescent sailor, who captures the attentions of Rosa at the high school dance. Jack appears to possess qualities of sensibility, kindness and sanity. Furthermore, Jack could even be seen as a strong contrast to many of the other more chaotic, and frantic characters - with him forming the only American of the main cast. Notably, Jack appears to have been taught to respect women, which is evident when he maintains the promise made to Serafina in front of the ominous glare of the Madonna Statue; frequently, he even appears as rather timid/shy when greeted by Rosa's excessive affections. Arguably, Jack's character motivation within the plot is to remain respectful to both Rosa, and Serafina's promise, as well as to try and calm Rosa's "wild" nature within the later stages of Act Three; which he appears to become frustrated with, as she lacks the maturity when attempting to think of a solution to continue their relationship - "Rosa, Rosa, you want to drive me crazy?" In addition, Jack's character status could be interpreted as significantly more powerful than Rosa's, as she appears entirely captivated and enraptured within him; thus, proving his maybe unaware sense of control over her.
Jack's Key Relationships within the play:
- Rosa
What key themes does Jack accentuate?
- Lust/Desire
- Immaturity/Maturity
- Hopeless Romance
- Loyalty/Promise
Alvaro -
The character of Alvaro is the love interest of the focal protagonist, Serafina Delle Rose, in the later stages of the play - Act Two, Scene One, Act Three, Scene One & Act Three, Scene Three. Arguably, Alvaro can be interpreted as one of the most versatile roles within 'The Rose Tattoo'; thus, providing both actor and director with a vast spectrum of interpretations to pursue. For example, Alvaro as a much more excessive, farcical character, who provides a strong sense of comical relief from the relentless tensions of Acts One and Two. However, due to Alvaro's apparent likeness to Serafina's deceased husband - Rosario - Alvaro instantly, maybe without realising it, strikes fear within Serafina, as she believes him to be a sign sent from the Madonna Statue: "Oh, Lady, give me a sign!" Thus, alternatively presenting him as a saviour figure to Serafina in the later stages of the plot, as although she remains in fear of him, he appears to catalyse her journey back to sanity/wellbeing. Within my personal interpretation (which I will use in my exam), I hope to combine both of these key interpretations; presenting Alvaro both as a comical character, who maybe isn't so much aware of just how significantly he is reviving Serafina from her all-consuming state of guilt. Thus, inspired by this, Alvaro's character status remains significantly higher than Serafina's as he unknowingly possesses a dominant control/captivation of her affections, in his oblivious character motivation of achieving lust and flirtation with this voluptuous protagonist.
Alvaro's Key Relationships within the play:
- Serafina
What key themes does Alvaro accentuate?
- Lust/Desire
- Flirtation
- The Revenant = Something which returns from the past, e.g. the fact that he appears to be an imperfect double of Rosario - "My husband's body with the head of a clown..."
- The Excess
Assunta -
The character of Assunta is one of the first characters the audience meets within ‘The Rose Tattoo’; thus, asserting her dominant importance within Serafina’s life - which may at times be disregarded by critics and audience members who believe her to be a minor character. Assunta forms the role of the wise older woman, approximately within her late 60’s or early 70’s, who sells herbal and other remedies to the local Sicilian community. Notably, Assunta appears to be Serafina’s only true, genuine and loyal friend throughout the play; she listens to her boastful rants, gives her advice, and helps her within her times of need, yet ignores her when she is rude. Additionally, it could be interpreted that Assunta’s character status remains high throughout ‘The Rose Tattoo’, as even before Serafina’s mental deterioration she remains of a much more realistic, sensible and cautious nature in which she obtains throughout, making her become a high status saviour figure to Serafina in her times of desperate need. Arguably, Assunta’s character motivation throughout the play appears to be to provide a sense of reality to Serafina’s disillusioned theories and concepts, as well as ensuring that Serafina is at times taken away from certain ill-mannered situations, and cared for both before, during and after her mental illness and bereavement.
Assunta's Key Relationships within the play:
- Serafina
What key themes does Assunta accentuate?
- Friendship
- Youth VS Aged
- Loyalty
- Protection
- Familial Conflict
- Reality VS Illusion
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