Main Characters in Angels in America
The play's structure is divided into two parts: Millennium Approaches and Perestroika. Across both parts, the characters' stories intersect and diverge, revealing intricate layers of personal and political struggles. The primary characters include Prior Walter, Louis Ironson, Roy Cohn, Belize, Hannah Pitt, Joe Pitt, and the angels. Each character embodies different facets of American society and human experience, making them essential to understanding the play's depth.
Prior Walter
Background and Personality
Prior Walter is a central figure in Angels in America. He is a young, witty, and resilient gay man living with AIDS. Prior's character is marked by a combination of vulnerability and strength, often using humor as a defense mechanism. His illness and the supernatural visions he experiences define much of his arc.
Role in the Narrative
Prior's journey begins with his diagnosis, which sets off a series of events that explore themes of mortality, faith, and destiny. He receives a prophetic visitation from angels, who declare him a "prophet" and assign him a divine使命—an integral part of the play's allegorical message about salvation and change.
Symbolism
Prior serves as a symbol of the marginalized and the oppressed, embodying the struggles faced by the LGBTQ+ community during the 1980s. His mystical experiences challenge traditional notions of faith and spirituality, positioning him as a bridge between the earthly and the divine.
Louis Ironson
Background and Personality
Louis Ironson is a Jewish-American man and Prior's lover. He is intellectual, anxious, and often overwhelmed by the realities of living with AIDS and the impending death of Prior. His internal conflicts and moral dilemmas are central to his character.
Role in the Narrative
Louis's relationship with Prior is tumultuous. He initially tries to support Prior but becomes overwhelmed by guilt, fear, and the demands of caregiving. His decision to leave Prior at a critical moment highlights themes of self-preservation versus loyalty.
Character Development
Throughout the play, Louis grapples with his own identity, fears, and the societal expectations placed upon him. His journey reflects the broader struggles of acceptance, faith, and the complexities of love in times of crisis.
Roy Cohn
Background and Personality
Roy Cohn is a ruthless, flamboyant, and morally corrupt lawyer based on the real-life figure. He is a closeted gay man with a powerful career and a penchant for manipulation and denial. His health is declining due to AIDS, which he refuses to acknowledge openly.
Role in the Narrative
Roy's character embodies hypocrisy and the corrupting influence of power. His denial of his homosexuality and illness mirror the societal repression of LGBTQ+ identities during the era. His interactions with other characters reveal themes of repression, fear, and self-deception.
Symbolism
Roy Cohn symbolizes the destructive aspects of authoritarianism and the moral decay of those who refuse to confront their truths. His character also highlights the societal denial of AIDS and the stigmatization of gay men.
Belize
Background and Personality
Belize is a wise, compassionate Black gay man and a former drag queen who works as a nurse and a friend to Prior. He is pragmatic, grounded, and offers moral support to other characters.
Role in the Narrative
Belize serves as a confidant and moral compass within the play. His conversations with Prior and other characters provide insight into issues of race, sexuality, and faith. His skepticism and realism contrast with the more mystical elements of the story.
Significance
Belize represents resilience and the importance of community. His character underscores themes of friendship, acceptance, and the need for honest dialogue about societal injustices.
Hannah Pitt
Background and Personality
Hannah Pitt is Joe Pitt’s devout Mormon mother. She is a caring, devout woman struggling with her son’s sexuality, her faith, and her own feelings of loss.
Role in the Narrative
Hannah’s interactions with Joe and her own spiritual doubts depict the conflict between personal belief and societal expectations. Her character embodies themes of maternal love, faith, and denial.
Character Arc
Throughout the play, Hannah moves from denial to acceptance, grappling with her understanding of morality and her son’s identity. Her journey highlights the play’s exploration of faith’s role in personal transformation.
Joe Pitt
Background and Personality
Joe Pitt is a Mormon lawyer and the son of Hannah Pitt. He is conservative, ambitious, and initially repressive about his sexuality. His character is torn between his faith, career, and desires.
Role in the Narrative
Joe’s internal conflict about his sexuality and his marriage to Harper serve as a microcosm of societal repression. His interactions with Prior, Hannah, and others reveal struggles of identity and morality.
Transformation
Over the course of the play, Joe begins to accept his sexuality, symbolizing hope for personal liberation and societal change. His character arc underscores the possibility of reconciliation between faith and identity.
The Angels
Overview and Significance
The angels in Angels in America are supernatural beings that serve as messengers and catalysts for the characters’ spiritual journeys. They embody divine intervention, judgment, and hope.
Key Angels in the Play
- The Angel of America: The primary angel who visits Prior and delivers prophetic messages. She embodies divine authority and the messianic role assigned to Prior.
- The Messenger Angel: Represents divine communication and the possibility of salvation amidst chaos.
Symbolism and Themes
The angels symbolize divine presence in a world plagued by suffering, denial, and moral ambiguity. They challenge characters to confront their truths and embrace change, serving as a bridge between the mortal and spiritual realms.
Conclusion
The characters in Angels in America are richly layered, each embodying different aspects of American society, human resilience, and spiritual longing. From Prior’s prophetic suffering to Roy Cohn’s corrupt power, from Hannah’s faith struggles to Belize’s grounded compassion, each character contributes to the play’s profound exploration of life, death, love, and faith. Kushner’s masterful character development creates a tapestry of voices that resonate with universal themes, making Angels in America a timeless work that continues to inspire and challenge audiences to reflect on the complexities of human existence. Understanding these characters is essential to appreciating the play’s depth and the enduring relevance of its messages.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Prior Walter in 'Angels in America'?
Prior Walter is one of the main characters in Tony Kushner's play, a gay man who begins to experience mysterious health issues and is central to the play's exploration of AIDS, sexuality, and spirituality.
What role does Roy Cohn play in 'Angels in America'?
Roy Cohn is a powerful and ruthless lawyer based on the real-life figure, serving as an antagonist who struggles with his own sexuality and moral conflicts throughout the play.
How is Louis Ironson portrayed in 'Angels in America'?
Louis Ironson is a Jewish, gay man who grapples with guilt and love as he cares for Prior Walter and navigates complex relationships and moral dilemmas.
What is the significance of the character Belize in 'Angels in America'?
Belize is a nurse and close confidant to several characters, representing compassion, wisdom, and a grounded perspective on the spiritual and political themes of the play.
Who are the angels in 'Angels in America' and what do they symbolize?
The angels in the play are celestial beings that visit Prior Walter, symbolizing divine intervention, judgment, and the intersection of the spiritual and mortal worlds.
How does Harper Pitt's character evolve in 'Angels in America'?
Harper Pitt starts as a paranoid and anxious housewife but gradually reveals her struggles with mental health, her desire for escape, and her complex feelings about her marriage and identity.
