FREE ESSAY ON BRIGADOON

BRIGADOON

I recently attended the play, Brigadoon by loewe and lerner, at my local college theater.
Through all of the plays mystical events and songs, I noticed some very important
details. I chose to compare the ideas in the play to some specific ideas held by a group
of people in Italy. The mounted their ideas together to form a period in our history
called the Renaissance. This was the first thing that came to my mind when I was thinking
about my comparison. A play acts as its own time period as it resembles a mere image of
real life. A play could relate to almost any person, place, or thing.
The first comparison I would like to talk about deals with themes. The Renaissance period
is often referred to as the, rebirth, period. People in Italy changed the way of living
by creating an organized and free way of living. I believe that Brigadoons main theme
deals with the rebirth of Tommy Albright's life. Tommy Albright is one of the main stars
in the play Brigadoon. He is from New York and is on a trip with one of his best friends.
He is also engaged at the very beginning of the play but he is in no rush to settle down.
Tommy and his friend run into this hidden town called Brigadoon in the middle of
Scotland. It is here were Tommy falls in love with a girl named Fiona. However, the laws
of Brigadoon forbid Fiona to leave with Tommy and go back to New York. Tension arises and
Tommy leaves his loved one in Brigadoon. Once Tommy is back in New York he realizes his
mistake and finds his rebirth. He realizes what he wants and who he wants to become.
Tommy goes back to Brigadoon and stays with Fiona, leaving everything else behind.
The comparison seems so close yet far away. In time everything goes through a little
change or rebirth. But the renaissance and Tommy's rebirth was different. These changes
delt with fate, destiny, and prosperity. The renaissance period has shaped our culture
today. I might not even be writing this paper if it was not for that period were they
encourage free writing and thinking. The period was part of the world's destiny to become
a better place to live. People from Italy influenced each other to encourage works of art
and free thinking. And in time they prospered to help shape our culture. However, the
influences that help cause a rebirth can only aid so much. During the Renaissance nobody
expected what the future would bring. Brigadoon isolated Tommy to help him understand his
love for Fiona. However, his rebirth is not guaranteed to last. Many obstacles stand in
his path to have the perfect relationship with Fiona.
When comparing the domestic life of Brigadoon people and Renaissance people, confusion
hindered my thoughts. I picture the Renaissance domestic life much like that of
Brigadoons. Lots of people dancing, happy, old fashion, and close to one another.
Brigadoon was an isolated town in which traditions would last forever. During the
Renaissance Italian people fought to bring order and change society. I realize their
society was not like Brigadoons. The people in Italy were unhappy fighting to have
freethinking. However, as time went on the Renaissance could compare to the happy town of
Brigadoon. Italy soon began to flourish as people looked up to their way of living. They
had caused a rebirth in the way of living and were now being rewarded. Festivals occurred
all the time and I picture the people being happy, just like the people of Brigadoon.
The fashion differences between Brigadoon and the Renaissance period are illustrated. The
people of Brigadoon seem to free day by day, not really caring how they appear. A simple
dress or shirt would do just fine on an average day. During the Renaissance the people of
Italy were more perfect and beautiful than any other country in Europe. The cloths and
dwellings were designed in one of the greatest art periods of all time. Great artists
influenced the people during the Renaissance. Paintings, buildings, sculptures, and works
of art were everywhere. In Venice there were rules which prohibited certain types of
dress. Brigadoon was a more laid back way of dressing. When comparing the two types of
fashion our culture today comes to my mind. When you walk down the street you see both
types of styles. Other people influence you on what to wear and what is cool. That is why
I understand Brigadoons old fashion style. They are isolated people who rarely get
visitors in their town. They have nothing to compare or share with. The people in Italy
influenced each other to look as best as they could and strive for perfection. In turn
they helped give our culture a new way to look at fashion.
During the early years of the Renaissance the bubonic plague hit Europe. The plague was
often called black death and devastated city life. I saw one man during the play who was
haunted by a plague also. Archie Beaton's son, Harry, who is love with Jean Maclaren, was
haunted by the plague called Charlie Dalrymple. Harry is deeply in love but Jean is about
to marry Charlie. Harry is constantly bothered and upset because of Charlie. Charlie acts
as a painful plague that does not seem to go away. When the bubonic plague hit Europe
many people tried to flee the cities into the countryside. However, only the rich people
could afford to go. Many people died because they did not have the money to flee. Harry
tried to run from his plague also. The laws of Brigadoon forbid Harry to leave the town
but he does not care about them any more. When trying to leave Harry is killed and his
plague ends. The town suffers from his loss just as the Renaissance period was hurt.
The Renaissance may have been a time period, however, it still can relate to the play
Brigadoon. Any play can influence people and has to have influences, just like certain
periods of our past. One of the main reasons I chose the Renaissance it because it
reminded of Europe, as did the play. Whenever I think of Europe I think of purity, arts,
and beautiful landscapes. When I first seen the play I knew it was supposed to take place
in Europe. So I simply compared it to the one thing in Europe that is a great historical
period, the Renaissance.