FREE ESSAY ON MADAME BUTTERLY

MADAME BUTTERLY

Act I
At the turn of the current century, in the picturesque gardens of a lovely Japanese villa
on the outskirts of Nagasaki, a local marriage broker, Goro, explains that he has
arranged a marriage with an adolescent Japanese girl for Lieutenant Pinkerton of the
United States Navy. Both the marriage contract and the accompanying rental agreement for
a home are presented to Pinkerton for his pleasure and convenience during the term of his
service in Japan. Both are cancelable upon the same conditions: thirty days' notice.
When United States Consul, Sharpless, comes calling, he warns Pinkerton that such an
arrangement invites tragedy. The young lady in question, he says, Cio-Cio-San, is known
as Madame Butterfly because of her femininity and sensitive nature. Certainly this sort
of cavalier treatment will eventually break her tender heart. The self-indulgent
Pinkerton ignores the older man's advice, making it clear he considers the wedding a
game, that he'll be glad to be married legitimately someday in the United States to an
American woman.
Butterfly appears, accompanied by her family. She is an innocent girl of fifteen, who
arrives carrying her most precious personal treasures in her sleeve -- a little jewelry
and a dagger her father used to commit suicide on orders from the Mikado. The marriage
ceremony proceeds and the assemblage toasts the couple. In the midst of a happy moment,
the Bonze, a Japanese priest, sweeps in with a stern denunciation of the bride. She has
forsaken her religion and turned to Christianity in deference to her new husband, he
announces. He declares her an outcast and the entire family supports his damning
judgment.
Pinkerton sends them all away and proceeds to woo Butterfly. They proclaim their
attraction to one another in a love duet and the curtain falls as the couple happily
enters their new home.
Act II
Madame Butterfly has lived alone in the little home above Nagasaki for three years now.
The short marriage with Lieutenant Pinkerton ended when he returned to America and he
hasn't been heard from since. Her maid and friend, Suzuki, tries to reason with Butterfly
about the distinct possibility that this man will never return. The tragically loyal
Butterfly answers with the aria Un bel di vedremo, describing her vision of the
Lieutenant's ship reappearing on the horizon and Pinkerton himself ascending the hill to
their home.
The American consul, Sharpless, arrives with a letter he wishes to read to Butterfly.
However, Goro interrupts to present a potential suitor to the young woman, an offer she
firmly refuses. Knowing the letter he carries announces the wedding of Pinkerton to an
American girl, the Consul asks Butterfly what will happen if her husband never returns.
She declares that impossible, but if it were to be, she says, she would kill herself. She
produces her young son, Trouble. He has been so-named she explained until Pinkerton comes
home. Then the child's name will become Joy. Sharpless realizes he can't reason with her
and departs.
A cannon from the harbor announces the docking of Pinkerton's ship. Butterfly and Suzuki
happily prepare the house for his arrival. The scene closes quietly as the women and
child settle down to watch for Pinkerton's appearance on the hillside path.
Act III
Trouble and Suzuki have fallen asleep waiting for the Lieutenant. Only Butterfly keeps
the vigil. The sun is rising, but Pinkerton has yet to make himself known. Butterfly
takes her child to his room to tuck him into bed, to the tune of a lullaby. At that
moment, Consul Sharpless arrives in the garden, accompanied by Pinkerton and his American
wife, Kate. Realizing what has occurred, Suzuki is brokenhearted. Glancing around at the
once idyllic hideaway where he lived with the lovely Butterfly, Pinkerton sings a
farewell to this home, to the past. Entering the room once more, Butterfly captures the
essence of the scene immediately. She tells Kate that Pinkerton may have the child if he
will return for him later.
The emotionally shattered Madame Butterfly blindfolds Trouble, steps behind an ornamental
screen, and stabs herself to death. Pinkerton rushes into the house calling to her,
Butterfly! Butterfly! But his concern comes much too late. He kneels beside her lifeless
body.