Accidental Death

Question 1

Describe the Maniac’s role

Answer 1

• considered mad but the sanest of all characters
• he exposes the contradictions of the play and acts as Dario Fo’s revolutionary left mouthpiece
• he uses his quick wit to impersonate whoever he choses
• he believes a violent revolution is the only way to ous the corrupt state

Question 2

Describe Bertozzo

Answer 2

• inspector who is often the butt of the joke
• serves as an indicator for the audience of the violent treatment that the anarchist no doubt received
• provides slapstick humour and metatheatre

Question 3

Describe Pissani

Answer 3

• he’s the inspector that has given conflicting stories about the night the anarchist died
• he falls for the Maniac’s judge disguise = represents the stupidity and hypocrisy of the police force

Question 4

Describe the Constables

Answer 4

• two constables, both played by the same actor to make the point that lower ranking officeres are all the same
• they do everything they’re told and their apathy allows corruption to happen

Question 5

Describe the Superintendent

Answer 5

• the chief of police and also falls for the Maniac’s stroy
• hypocrite who will go along with anything in order to save his own skin

Question 6

Describe Feletti

Answer 6

• journalist who represents the voice of reason
• poses the questions that the audience have
• she is the one that has to chose revolution/ reform at the end of the play= shows that the audience must also make this decision

Question 7

What may the open window symbolise?

Answer 7

• prominent part of the set, and character’s draw attention to it throughout the play
  “I’ll throw myself out, how high are we? i will!” and “jump you dishonourable worms!”
• acts as a reminder of what happened to the anarchist
• may also be a symbol of desparation

Question 8

What may the Maniac’s disguises be a metaphor for?

Answer 8

• the multiple layers of truth as they become more and more complex as the play approaches the climax
• each of the character’s that view the Manaic think they know the truth but only the Maniac knows the entire story
• to emphasise the Left wing is the only way to oust the corrupt state

Question 9

Why was Fo’s work revolutionary and bold?

Answer 9

• he represented extremely left wing ideals in a completely right wing country
• made it his life’s work to expose curruption and injustice in Italy

Question 10

What are the forms of comedy in the play ADOAA?

Answer 10

• satire= use of humour, irony, ridicule and exaggeration
• slapstick= exaggerated physical activity that exceeds the boundaries of normal physical comedy
• farce= comic dramatic work using bufoonery and horseplay (improbably situations and exaggerated characters)