Cosi by Louis Nowra Essay

Cosi is a play written by Louis Nowra in the 1970’s. The comedy is about an inexperienced director, Lewis, who chooses to earn some cash and gain professional experience by working with a group of mental patients in Melbourne and directing a play for them to perform. Although the play is a comedy, there is many real messages throughout the play that are deeply significant, these messages are explored through different themes such as the nature of madness which is best showed in the characters; Roy and Doug, self-growth and identity which we see through Lewis and a very important theme the play revolves around is love and fidelity.
One of the main themes in Cosi, is the central idea of personal growth. All characters experience growth, however, Lewis' personal growth is the most significant as his simple dialogue states "no one can sing" exemplifying his negatively towards the patients. This is juxtaposed to his dialogue. "This comes first" when Lewis begins to see the play as his top priority. His transformation is outlined through Lucy's dialogue "Working with these people has changed you." showing Lucy's thoughts concerning Lewis. Lewis' inner journey has provided him with a new understanding of not only himself but the world around him. It is Nowra’s portrayal of Lewis, whose personal growth through the play exemplifies the sympathetic nature of humanity, which suggests the ability to care for others, and to valiantly defend worthwhile causes is an indispensable human characteristic. Initially portrayed as lacking assertiveness, Lewis’s progression throughout the play, both in terms of developing confidence in directing and a rejection of contemporary values, suggests people can be caring and can expect consideration from others.
Another theme is Cosi is to do with the nature of madness. The characters are not what you expect from a patient in a mental institution. Roy is extremely articulate and Doug is very witty. Although all the patients have problems