seen by society as a negative form of difference and so mental illness patients have continuously been stereotyped and marginalised by society throughout there lives. The mistreatment of mental illness patients has been displayed throughout the play Cosi. The mental characters from the play create a theme of madness through there different personalities and quirks. The theme; mental illness and madness are developed for the audience by Louis Nowra’s choice of stage directions‚ dialogue‚ conflicts and
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Themes One of the main themes of Cosi is the question of love and fidelity. This is shown in Act 1 Scene Two when Doug‚ who hates women‚ says: " Women like to pretend they dont play around but theyre just more secretive about it." Cherry and Ruth are very negative about sex‚ stating that most women work hard to keep men out of their pants. Julie thinks that love is "being foolish and stupid". Also the play that Lewis is directing‚ Cosi Fan tutte is all about love and fidelity. Lewis is also questioning
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In Cosi‚ Nowra uses several recurring language techniques and devices to create various: Symbols and motifs are often ideas‚ items‚ actions‚ sounds or sights which occur in a play which represent an idea which is reinforces the writer’s message. moods tones Atmospheres Or to emphasis: a situation‚ an important point or moment in the plot‚ setting‚ character‚ or idea in the play A stereotype An alternate perspective Symbols Burnt-out theatre The setting of a burnt-out theatre
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Cosi Task Preparation This is the question: Question 2 on Cosi Lewis Nowra‚ Cosi Act One‚ Scene One A burnt out theatre. It is day outside but the pitch black inside the theatre. A heavy door opens‚ a chink of daylight enters‚ as do three people: LEWIS‚ his girlfriend LUCY‚ and his friend NICK. ………………………………….. NICK: Smells like it hasn’t been used in years LUCY: Burnt wood and mould. Are you sure you know what you’re doing? LEWIS: I need the money‚ Lucy. [Nick accidentally touches
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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
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An introduction to Cosi ouis Nowra was inspired to write Cosi after a visit to a performance of Hello Dolly with a group of mental patients in 1970. He worked with this group of patients to produce a version of Trial By Jury which helped many of the patients to “blossom” and also revealed the ignorance of a student leader who ridiculed the patients’ efforts. Nowra claims that the play is a combination of fact and fiction. In Cosi‚ a mature Nowra looks back and evaluates his youthful self and the
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Nowra’s play is set in a ‘burnt out theatre’. Discuss the importance of setting and imagery in conveying Nowra’s idea on ’Cosi’. The setting and imagery used in Louis Nowra’s play ‘Cosi’ explore the turbulent time that took part in Australia. The play is set in a mental institution in Melbourne‚ in the 1970’s. Using the ominous presence of the Vietnam War‚ Nowra explores the insanity of the war; and the need to condemn war and to protest against Australia’s involvement in Vietnam. The main presence
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Cosi Act one Scene one: Plot: Lewis along with his girlfriend‚ Lucy‚ and his friend‚ Nick‚ enter “a burnt out theatre.” As they struggle to find a light switch they joined by Roy. Lucy leaves and Nick who is frightened joins her. Lewis meets Justin the social worker and then the other members appear. Doug‚ a pyromaniac‚ Henry‚ who says nothing and Zac‚ a musician. The women join them soon after‚ Cherry‚ who is violent‚ Julie‚ a drug addict and Ruth‚ who suffers obsessive compulsive disorder
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Louis Nowra’s screenplay ‘Cosi’ explores the attitudes to and perception of the mentally ill in 1971. During this period Australia is at war and undergoing social reform. The perception of mental patients in the 70s can be seen as unethical and inhumane‚ with society grouping them with animals and locking them away in asylums with barbaric conditions. The 70s saw mental illness being neglected and kept in the dark and with movies that depict ‘mad’ people as animals; a negative connotation is placed
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Through the structuring of the play within the play in Cosi‚ Louis Nowra uses the characters of Lucy and Nick to be an example of sexual love within the playwright. The basis of their relationship as we learn in the end is only sexual‚ which enables sexual love to become a major theme within the play. When Lucy openly admits that she has “sex” with Nick‚ and “sleeps” with Lewis‚ it creates a contrast of opinion with Lewis’‚ and furthermore creates conflict between the three characters. This shows
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