Essay, Research Paper: 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.


Word Count: 1095