Cosi – Louis Nowra

Cosi by Louis Nowra conveys significant ideas more or less human nature. Through the reckon Cosi, the audience witnesses the lives of mentally ill people unfold before them. Central characters Lewis, Doug and Julie each show and discourse a different view upon the world and work towards their own idea of reality. They each express their someone ideas of the norm and work together to escape reality. Many themes such as do it and infidelity as well as change argon conveyed without the play. Cosi is a comic play written by Australian playwright, Louis Nowra.An interesting feature of the play is the use of the play within a play device, which gives the play a distinctive quality. This allows the issues and concerns of the play to be reflected and commented upon in he other play as both plays are juxtaposed. The themes of Cosi Fan Tutte deal with love, sex and fidelity are illustrated and commented upon in the modern context as seen by means of Henrys emotive language Free love, wo men are not to be trusted His opinion is generated through diverse experiences and general knowledge.The theme of love and fidelity causes controversy as the characters have different opinions which differ from each other. One of the main themes in Cosi, is the central idea of personal increment. All characters experience growth, however, Lewis personal growth is the most significant as his simple dialogue states no one can sing embody his negatively towards the patients. This is juxtaposed to his dialogue. This comes first when Lewis begins to see the play as his top prority. His transformation is outlined through Lucys dialogue Working with these people has changed you. showing Lucys thoughts concering Lewis. Lewis inner journey has provided him with a new discovering of not only himself but the world around him. Lewis is the protagonist of the play. To begin with, Lewis lacks confidence the stage directions describe him as not knowing what to say, and talking hesitantly and u ncertainly. Putting on the play for Lewis is motivated by his desire for some quick cash. What if someone forgets to take their medicine and-Is one of the some quotes that Lewis says that expresses his uncertainty.The play opens to a ghastly stage. This darkness is symbolic of many things. Firstly, it represents Lewis entering into a new world- very different from his own. The juxtaposition of clean and dark represents his understanding of each world. The second idea represented is the loneliness of the patients within the institution. Like a child pulling the bed covers over his head, afraid of what he cant see and therefore could be lurking in the dark, society feared and misunderstood these people, keeping them locked away.Out of sight and therefore, seemingly out of mind. The utmost idea is that this initiative symbolises Lewis entering into this world and shinning a light into their darkness. That is, coming into a world that he did not understand and therefore feared an d offering the patients improvement in their lives and the potential for belonging, understanding and friendship. Doug is a pyromaniac a firelighter both in reality and symbolically. His actions threaten to get the show cancelled in its early stages when he sets fire to a toilet.Doug is the most sexually frank character asking questions standardized Was Lucy a virgin when you first had her? and How many did Lucy have before you? He comes across as a crass character but his questions behave an important purpose. Like fires, his frank questions tend to spark actions or reactions. They are catalysts for thought. Its Doug who reveals to Lucy that Julie has gone for Lewis, which leads to the final confrontation between Lucy and Lewis. Julies character is significant in a number of ways.Firstly, her views about love seem to be in direct opposition to Lucys (Lewis girlfriend). Julie has, always thought that love was existence foolish and stupid. Its about being on the edge and I lik e being on the edge. Whereas Lucy sees love as well down the list of priorities in life After bread, a shelter, equality, health, procreation, bills comes maybe love. However, interestingly, their characters are also similar. Julie says about men and fidelity I dont like mens double standards, I guess.Men indigence women to deceive them because itll prove their worst thoughts about women While Lucy says that men want women to pretend theyre true and faithful because thats how they want us to be, even if theyre not true and faithful themselves. Julie, in a way, is an altered version of Lucy in the world of the mental institution. She is the character who completely brings Lewis into this new, strange world. Her kiss with him in the dark marks the sufficient transition of Lewis. I like the dark, Julie says because its in the dark that you can be who you really want to be.