Cosi

How has Louis Nowra Communicated Unique Ideas in his drama Cosi?

Louis Nowra’s play, Cosi, is set in the 1970s, during the Vietnam War. The setting is in a mental institution. It was written in 1992. Cosi explores a range of ideas and attitudes towards mental illness, such as the stereotypical view that mental patients are dangerous and should be kept locked away. Another is that they are like a lot of other people who are considered “normal”. But the stereotypical view is generally the constant throughout this play. Nowra’s play addresses an issue which is still present in today’s modern society. That is the belief that women are not to be trusted when it comes to committing to a relationship.

Nowra uses the technique of a play within a play. This discusses the similarities between the patients’ lives and the values discussed in Cosi fan Tutte. This goes as far to say that it reflects their own lives (what their lives represent). Nowra sees this as a way to help people outside to change their views on mentally ill people.

The technique of using a dark, burnt-out theatre with a chink of light is a form of symbolism. The darkness represents the attitudes towards mental illness and the chink of light represents Lewis (the main protagonist) being a small glimmer of hope.

Lewis, at first, doesn’t really appreciate the importance of working in a mental institution, as is stated when he says “I need the money.” He is explaining that the money is the only reason for him taking up the position. At the beginning of the play, Lewis suggests to Roy that “love is not so important nowadays.” This suggests that Lewis’ relationships don’t mean much to him.

There are a number of “outsiders” in Cosi. One in particular is Lewis’ girlfriend Lucy. Lucy is seen as an extremely domineering character that exceeds the use of short, sharp sentences to convey her frustration and lack of caring about other people’s values. Through the ill-tempered quote “Just quit”, Lucy represents the views of people outside the asylum and the stereotype that mentally ill people are to be avoided. This shows us that Lucy is exceptionally close-minded towards anything that questions her own beliefs. This forces us to question our own judgements and perceptions about life.

After Lucy tells Lewis to quit, he retaliates by saying “They’re people too.” This shows us Lewis’ journey as a person from working with the patients. Lucy, at one point, says to Lewis “We used to talk about important things, now all you can talk about is Cosi fan Tutte.” This shows Lewis’ changing relationships.

At the end of the play, however, Lewis turns out the lights; this signifies that there was no real happy ending.

Cosi shows that personal relationships displayed by individuals allow characters such as Lewis and Henry to gain a healthier understanding of each other and the value of love. They also learn to cope effectively with the reality around them and to grow and develop into confident, enthusiastic people. Cosi discusses attitudes towards mental illness, fidelity and true love.