Marco is the elder brother of Rodolpho, and the cousin of Beatrice,
He comes from Sicily in Italy, from a poor family, he has a wife and three children,
He cares deeply for his family and comes to America to earn money to support them by working on the docks,
Marco is a straightforward character, sensitive and calm with a strong sense of honour who is capable of great honour once he is provoked,
He is polite and appreciative that the Carbone’s have taken him in
He is the opposite to his brother Rodolpho, both in appearance and in character,
Cares deeply for his brother Rodolpho and always looks out for his well being,
Strong sense of honour, believes in strong family and community values and further believes that it is up to man to dispense justice
Key Quotations
"You'll be quiet, Rodolpho" - Marco to Rodolpho, page 33
This shows that Rodolpho looks to Marco for guidance and accedes to Marco's decisions due to the fact that Marco is the older brother.
"My wife – I want to send right away maybe twenty dollars" - Marco to Eddie, page 30
This indicates Marco's strong bonds to his family, emphasising once again in 'A View from The Bridge' strong family values and familial love.
"All the law is not in a book" - Marco to Alfieri, page 79
Contradiction to Alfieri's belief that vengeance is not 'the law' and it is not up to man to dispense justice, but that it is only God who can dispense retribution, and therefore justice.
"When you have no wife you can have dreams" - Marco to Rodolpho, page 31
This is Marco explaining that it was compulsory for him to come to the USA, to support his family, but for Rodolpho, it is still viable for him to live for his 'American Dream'.
"His eyes are showing tears" - Stage directions concerning Marco, page 30
Showing Marco as an emotional man and one who is grateful for a chance to help his family
"That older one, boy, he’s a regular bull … he woulda load the whole ship by himself" - Mike, concering Marco, page 37
This describes Marco's appearance as a tough character, strong and driven.
"I knew it as soon as he started to sing. Too loud …They paid for your courage, the English like courage but once is enough" Marco to Rodolpho page32
He says this to protect his younger brother from embarassment in the future, he doesnt want society to judge Rodolpho.
‘Face to face with Eddie a strained tension grasping his eyes and jaw, his neck stiff, the chair raised like a weapon … transforms what might be a glare of warning into a smile of triumph.’ stage direction page 58
This is a description is to show Marco's warnig to Eddie not to harm Roldopho, also shows the deterioration of Eddie and Marco's relationship (from mutual respect to mutual distrust).
"You wont touch him. This is your promise." Alfieri to Marco page79
It is said that Marco has a clear sense of justice but he goes against his word when he goes looking for Eddie in vengance.
‘a square built peasant of 32, suspicious, tender, quiet voiced.’ His first words are ‘Thank you.’ page26
Marco is percieved like this when he is first introduced in the play. This however gradually changes as the play progresses.
His role in the novel
Marco moves to America to earn a living for his family. Primarily he is important because it is Eddie's destruction of the family that Marco cares for which eventually prompts Marco to kill Eddie. He is a caring father and brother and in that sense his family relationship contrasts with Eddie's relationship with Catherine and Beatrice. He is also a respectful guest and hardworker - the sympathy this creates for him helps to villify Eddies subsequent betrayal.
What do I need to know about ... Marco?
Brief Description
Key Quotations
This shows that Rodolpho looks to Marco for guidance and accedes to Marco's decisions due to the fact that Marco is the older brother.
This indicates Marco's strong bonds to his family, emphasising once again in 'A View from The Bridge' strong family values and familial love.
Contradiction to Alfieri's belief that vengeance is not 'the law' and it is not up to man to dispense justice, but that it is only God who can dispense retribution, and therefore justice.
This is Marco explaining that it was compulsory for him to come to the USA, to support his family, but for Rodolpho, it is still viable for him to live for his 'American Dream'.
Showing Marco as an emotional man and one who is grateful for a chance to help his family
This describes Marco's appearance as a tough character, strong and driven.
He says this to protect his younger brother from embarassment in the future, he doesnt want society to judge Rodolpho.
This is a description is to show Marco's warnig to Eddie not to harm Roldopho, also shows the deterioration of Eddie and Marco's relationship (from mutual respect to mutual distrust).
It is said that Marco has a clear sense of justice but he goes against his word when he goes looking for Eddie in vengance.
Marco is percieved like this when he is first introduced in the play. This however gradually changes as the play progresses.
His role in the novel
Marco moves to America to earn a living for his family. Primarily he is important because it is Eddie's destruction of the family that Marco cares for which eventually prompts Marco to kill Eddie. He is a caring father and brother and in that sense his family relationship contrasts with Eddie's relationship with Catherine and Beatrice. He is also a respectful guest and hardworker - the sympathy this creates for him helps to villify Eddies subsequent betrayal.